doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Westley Richards double rifle - help needed

A good friend of mine bought a Westley Richards Anson and Deely box lock double rifle, top lever Model C leverwork in Cal. 577/500 no.2. Very very fine scroll engraving over the entire action. Serial number in the 13,000 range. Bores are excellent, stock is mint, barrels have been blued, I think I can see some damascus pattern. Top rib says "charge 110 grains Bullet 400 grains". Now here is the question. There are NO under lugs, it only lock up by the top lever bolting into the model c dolls head. It is tight on the face and appears to be little used. Is this bolting system strong? Never seen one without the under pinning. Serial number from Westley Richards book puts in the Best Gun range from 1877 to 1884 build date.

Is the bolting system strong?

Well that is relative, There is little unbolting torque in most of these guns.

So should be just fine with the black powder load listed.

Mike

Early Westley Richards guns (and rifles) did not use a Purdey-style underbolt and lugs. The only locking mechanism was the sliding bolt into the rib extension.
Part of the reason for them going to the additional underbolt was the fact that during that time many makers of best guns were advertising the number of bolts that their gun had. Greener had their 'Treble Wedge Fast", Purdey had their "Sextuple Lock", etc.
Evidently, the number of bolting features was a selling point.
The fact is that a properly fitted bolt, placed at the furthest point from the hinge will have the most mechanical advantage in holding the gun closed.

Thanks guys, I looked at for him to see if I could help him sell it. He collects American firearms and bought it from a friend for a good price. I had never seen this bolting system before and wondered about the ability to sell the double rifle given the 577/500 no. 2 chambers and no under lugs. Except for the barrels needing rebrowned the double rifle is in excellent condition and looks little used.

How much and are pictures available?
Thank you
Mike

Mike he wants $7,250.00. I need to pick the rifle up to get pictures. The bores are excellent with metford rifling, One fixed sight and one leaf sight. Barrels are blued but I think I can see a damascus pattern. The action is totally engraved with very fine scroll in excellent condition. There is a small amount of pitting under the forend on one barrel. The stock has no cracks and the checkering is crisp. Wood to metal is excellent. It has bushed firing pins and locks up as new. He has a large collection of American arms and has been a collector for over 45 years, he calls it mint condition, I would agree except for the reblue over damascus. Will try to get the rifle tomorrow. I was not trying to sell it here, I usually go Gunsinternational, but Dave will get his money if it sells. PM me with your e-mail so I can send pictures. Thanks