There were a few W. Richards listed in London but were long gone before your gun would have been made. William Richards (no relation to Westley Richards) traded at Liverpool and Preston. The name still lives on in Yorkshire
http://wrichardsguns.co.uk/history.html and the records are pretty well complete. He will tell you that the business had absolutely nothing to do with spurious guns made in Belgium which were sent to the U.S.A. in large numbers (rarely encountered here in the U.K.). I think they were trying to trade on the more famous Westley Richards. I think you will find that your W. Richards gun, purporting to be made in London, may also be someone trying to trade in the more famous name. Guns by Wm. Moore and Greener were also forged to some degree. Get in touch with W. Richards at the link above and see but I think that it is unlikely to appear in their records. Not to say there is anything wrong with the gun in itself as it no doubt went through the proof house o.k. at some time. Lagopus.....
