April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms

All > Firearms > Rifle-Antique > Other

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019

(1895) Made in 1886, but not sold until 1895 per factory records, this fine big bore double rifle has 28" Damascus barrels fitted with full length matted rib. A one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight is dovetailed through, and a silver bead front is longitudinally dovetailed into muzzle end. Unmatted portions of rib are engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON." and "FOR PAPER EXPRESS CARTRIDGE." ".577 Bore" is on rear portion of rib with dolls head extension. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs for 25 bore and with serial numbers. A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened boxlock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), Westley Richards patent (marked on lever) sliding bolt top fastener as the only lock, and double triggers. Action has nicely filed beads, and the only embellishment is "WESTLEY RICHARDS" in gold on both sides. Floorplate and trigger guard are blued. Serial number is on trigger guard tang which extends to case hardened steel grip cap. Fiddle figured and nicely streaked European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 3/8" over old, most likely original, Silver pad. Stock features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering at grip, as well as a vacant silver circle and sling eye on toe line. Matching splinter forend with inlet horn tip has Deeley release. Weight: 10 lbs 2 oz. Gun is housed in its original oak and leather case with brass corners, and typical Westley sliding bolts, which is lined in green cloth. Westley Richards paper label is in lid along with with instructions for hammerless guns, and another label with instructions for cleaning. Case contains a fine assortment of original accessories and cleaning equipment including a front pour brass bullet mold marked "577" with base and hollow pointing pins, a brass and ebony cleaning rod with 7" handle is in bottom compartment, and a covered compartment with quartered oak undercover contains a complete set of loading tools for .577 2 - 3/4" with sizing die marked "Westley Richards .577 Express" with base handle and rammer, bullet seater, Hawksley brass capper/decapper, case neck reamer, brush for cleaning interior of cases, and another rammer with die for sizing bullets. There is also a paper from Westley Richards with directions for wrapping bullets and loading cases. CONDITION: Excellent. This fine rifle remains in truly exceptional original condition with over 95% dramatic barrel brown, with a few light scratches and rubs. Case hardening is also approximately 95% most loss is on top tang from normal hand wear. Original blue of top lever is considerably flaked to around 10%. Floorplate retains approximately 85% of its original blue, with an area of light scratches and a few marks and dings. Original blue of trigger guard is silvered on edges, with most remaining on tang. Stocks retain nearly all of their original hand rubbed oil finish with some loss at butt from old re-shaping of what appears to be original Silver pad, rubber crystallized. Bores are excellent with a few scattered very light pits toward breech ends. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Case leather is very dark and considerably deteriorated, stained and rubbed. Straps and handle are missing. Interior cloth is fine to very fine, with some rubs and compressions. Labels are considerably foxed and somewhat wrinkled. Accessories are generally very fine to excellent. A wonderful late black powder big bore double exhibiting very little use. MGM174.

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $10,000.00 Final prices include buyers premium: $20,400.00 Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000 Number Bids: 9	Auction closed on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

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