GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
VERY RARE 20 GAUGE WESTLEY RICHARDS "OVUNDO" SIDEPLATED HAND DETACHABLE LOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER LIGHT GAME SHOTGUN WITH OAK AND LEATHER CASE. WESTLEY RICHARDS OVUNDO 17930 20GA MODERN; C&R (ca 1923) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Demi-bloc bbls are engraved "Westley Richards 23 Conduit St London Gun Makers By Appointment To H. M. The King" and "OVUNDO" on narrow, slightly swamped game rib. Bottoms of ejector bosses are stamped with orig Birmingham nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers and Birmingham re-proofs for 2-3/4". Side ribs are engraved with patent numbers where covered by forend. Case hardened OU action with ornamental sideplates are fitted with Westley Richards unique hand detachable locks which are engine turned and gold inlaid for left and right. Locks are stamped with patent use number "3353" and are housed under hinged floorplate. This gun also features automatic safety and single selective trigger. Sideplates are equipped with inspection ports to view workings of single trigger mechanism. Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage well cut large open shaded acanthus scroll. "Westley Richards" is in geometric device at the front of each sideplate. Top of action forward of top lever, is engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS" "PATENT ONE TRIGGER". Front portion of floorplate is engraved "Westley Richards" "Patent" "OVUNDO". Blued and scroll engraved small bow trigger guard has SN on short tang. Well streaked and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over Silver type pad, and features classic drop points, point pattern grip checkering, and a large vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend with horn tip has Deeley release. Bore diameter: top -.625, bottom - .628. Bore restrictions: top - .010 (lt mod), bottom - .033 (full). Wall thickness: top - .029, bottom - .029. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast is about 1/8" off. Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". High quality oak and leather case with brass corners and canvas outer cover, is lined in burgundy cloth. Westley Richards Conduit St paper label is in lid. Bottom is correctly contoured and fitted for this gun, so case may be orig. Case contains 2-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod, with mop, jag and brush in leather wallet, 2 cans (one containing Rangoon oil and the other "NevaRust"), pair of snap caps marked for gauge, a Westley Richards marked round oil bottle, and a key. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine quality rust re-blue. Action and sideplates retain over 90% of what appears to be orig case hardening color. Top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard retain nearly all of a re-blue which has lightened somewhat on tang of trigger guard. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish with some oil added to rear portion of butt with installation of relatively new pad. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works. Case leather is still light in color, relatively smooth and clean from protection of outer cover, which is considerably worn. Top has two reddish leather inserts where letters have been removed. Interior cloth is very fine with some compressions and area at bbl breech ends worn almost through from contact with bbls. Accessories are excellent. A superb little small gauge Westley, this may be the only 20 bore "OVUNDO" this cataloger has ever seen. 51497-6 MGM94 (25,000-35,000)