I'm amused by Shotgunlover's comments re. the danger of losing Westley Richards detachible locks while showing them off & championing hand detachable bottom plates. Seems to me you are just as likely to lose the bottom plate as easily as lose a detachable lock & on the later WR's at least the bottom plate is hinged to prevent loss. I'm a big fan of both WR style detachable locks & H&H style detachable sidelock as well as detachable bottom plates as it allows the inept to remove the locks for cleaning & lubrication w/o buggering up the screws!
As far as the C-Type top bolt being an eyesore & hand sore, I've heard the same criticism leveled at Merkel O&U's with Kersten style extensions & I've never had any issues with either one in loading or unloading. The WR hand detachable lock action w/C-Type bolting has a disinct apperance & you either like it or you don't. The C-Type bolting adds considerable strength & allows for a lighter action body as does the lack of holes in the action
for sear & hammer pivots.
FWIW I really like English A&D actioned guns & think they are a great bargan but to me the WR guns with Type C bolting & and hand detachable locks are on a higher level and worth the premium.
