doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Is this Westley Richards made?

I recently bought this 10 gauge BLNE from a friend and I was wondering if it would have been made by Westley Richards? And if it was what grade would it be? I read an article in the DGJ that had a C grade WR with just the doll head extension lock, but this has the underbolts and much more extensive engraving. It is marked J.L. Rawbone, Toronto, Canada. I'm familiar with the Rawbone family history and their connections to the Birmingham trade. The A&D use number is 5287 and it has Birmingham proof marks. Is there any way to date it by the use number? It is the only number on the gun. Regardless of whether WR made it or not it handles great and I really like it. Thanks for your comments.

it looks like a Westley action, hard to know for sure who finished it.

I agree. If you don't want it sell it to me.

I have a shotgun that is very very similar to this one but mine is a 16 gauge with 30 inch barrels. When you get inside the action of my 16 gauge there are indications that the shotgun was actually made by HOLLIS using several different patents from other manufactures. Dewey Vicknair of -- http://www.vicknairrestorations.com/Doublegun_Restorations.html -- may be able to tell you a lot more about this shotgun.

Good Shooting To You, Jent

Thanks guys. Mike, I think this one might get buried with me. I can't wait to get my first goose with it.

Do your breech balls stand proud of the barrels ??? My 16 gauge is that way too. Jent

Thanks Jent. I haven't take it apart yet, but the only stamps on it are the proofmarks, not for ball, and 10B, 11M. On the watertable the A&D use number is stamped in a curve on top with Anson and Deeley's underneath. Patent is curved the other way below that to make an oval shape. It doesn't even have a serial number.
edit, Yes the breech balls are slightly proud of the barrels. I've seen a Dickson that was also that way.

Bob, an inquiry to Westley Richards, in Birmingham,should give you the dates of their use of the patent. A small amount of math should give you a time frame.

Bob, sounds like it might be proofed for black powder between 1875 and 1887. The action patent is 1875 and the style is that of one of the earlier Anson & Deeley boxlocks, forend patent is 1873 and the Westley Richards patent fastener is 1862 so the best time frame for your gun would be 1975 to 1887 based on the proof marks. Style would put it in the latter half of the 1870's. As Jent indicates, some Isaac Hollis guns also have this type of top lever. He was another 'maker to the trade' and would have no doubt supplied Westley's with actions. The Trade mark on Westley Richards guns is a triangle. I have a little Isaac Hollis that is virtually identical to the WR Gold Name model except for the name on the action. Nice gun and a classic for geese; just ensure that you use the correct ammo. Unless it has been later proved for nitro it will alsmost certainly be a 2 5/8 inch chamber black powder piece. Nice gun. Lagopus.....

My 10 ga. Purdey hammer gun (according to Purdey) left their shop in 1879 with 3" chambers....

When one speaks of English guns and chamber lengths "almost certainly" has no place.