GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
VERY FINE PAIR OF WESTLEY RICHARDS PERCUSSION 14 BORE GAME GUNS WITH ORIGINAL TWO-TIERED MAHOGANY CASE AND ACCESSORIES.WESTLEY RICHARDSPR 14 BORE GAME GUNS9209/ 921014 GA.(ca 1859) Cal. 14 ga. 30" Skelp twist bbls are engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON." on broad concave game ribs. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs for 14 bore, and with SNs. Patent breeches have vented platinum blow-outs and platinum inlaid lines at rears. SNs are stamped on hooks. Orig ebony ramrods with brass tails with steel worms under caps, have brass tulip shaped heads with SNs stamped on ends. Ramrods are held by two plain pipes. Case hardened and scroll engraved breech irons have integral fences and are mounted on silver flash guards. Island type front action locks have tall flat faced serpentine hammers with engraved dolphin heads. Locks and hammer faces are engraved with exceptionally well cut open foliate scroll. "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is on each lockplate. Trigger plates have stylized pineapple finials matching those on thimbles. Blued trigger guards are scroll engraved on bows and have SNs at grips. Dense, streaked, and figured European walnut stocks measure 14-1/4" over steel buttplates with long scroll engraved top tangs. Boldly cut flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grips and forends. Stocks mount to bbls with captive side nails through oval silver escutcheons. Gun 9209: Bore diameter: left -.693, right -.692. Wall thickness: left -.049, right -.040. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. Gun 9210: Bore diameter: left -.694, right -.694. Wall thickness: left -.040, right -.042. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 7 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. Deep mahogany case has inlet arched brass corners, typical circular D-ring handle, pivoting hook closure, brass reinforcing straps on sides, and folding bail carrying handles on sides. Interior is lined in dark green cloth, and has Westley Richards rectangular paper label in lid stating "Westley Richards Gun Manufacturer to His Royal Highness PRINCE ALBERT". Gun numbers are penciled in bottom rail of lid. Interior has lift-out tray for stocks. Bbls and accessories fit in bottom compartment. Top section has receptacles for two Sykes type charge/ shot containers, and 14 bore wad punch. Bottom has compartments for a pair of James Dixon black leather covered German silver powder flasks and matching shot pouches, one by Sykes. Also included are an early mainspring vice, and a T-handled nipple wrench with copper covers over nipple receptacles in handle. Also included is a 3-pc rosewood, ebony, and brass cleaning rod which does not fit into case. PROVENANCE: Factory letter stating guns were completed 4 May 1859. CONDITION: Gun 9209 is very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown with fair definition to pattern over considerable light pitting, with some spots of heavier pitting. Trigger plate, lockplates, and breech iron retain a considerable amount, perhaps 40% of their orig case hardening color with browning, staining and evidence of cleaning. Trigger guard retains most of its orig bright blue. Buttplate is mostly gray to brown patina with bright blue on top tang. Stock retains most of its orig rubbed oil finish with numerous minor marks and dings, checkering lightly worn.
Gun no. 9210 is in much better original condition. Bbls have been re-browned over some light pitting, unfortunately breech plugs were not removed and their orig case color is muddied. Locks and breech iron retain approx 90% orig color. Trigger guard and buttplate retain over 90% of their orig brilliant blue. Stock has some minor marks. Left side of side nail head is chipped off.
Both ramrods are original. Bores of both guns are lightly pitted and need a good cleaning. Nipples are modern replacements. Locks are crisp. Case is excellent retaining most of what appears to be its orig finish on exterior. Brass is unpolished, some still remains bright. Interior cloth is very fine, with some spots of fading and light soiling. Label is very fine, slightly foxed with some rust stains and one rub-through. Lift out tray and all partitions are excellent. One flask is excellent, except for some marks in leather and a missing spring. The other flask shows more wear, some darkening of German silver, however spring is intact. Dixon shot pouch is excellent with some creases in leather and staining on steel lever. Sykes pouch shows considerable wear and toning. Mainspring vice is good with a repair at thumbpiece. Nipple wrench has traces of case color. Sykes chargers have been re-polished. Wad cutter has traces of blue, but is mostly brown patina. Cleaning rod is good. 49094-1 MGM32 (12,500-22,500)