Westley Richards is among the finest names in bespoke gunmaking with over 200 years of experience in making some of the best there is. Over the last decade Westley has asserted their domince as the premier maker in bespoke gunmaking particularly for large caliber dangerous game rifles. Simply put Westley is uncompromising in their quality, materials, and people, the results speak for themselves as Westley routley produced the finest guns coming out of the UK period. This rifle was paid for, imported, but never delivered to the client due to his untimely passing and was shipped from Westley's U.S. agency directly to RIAC. It is a unbelievable opportunity in dollars and time to acquire a NEW Westley Richards .500 Double. This rifle is a fine example of their flagship hand detachable droplock action, easily one of the greatest feats achieved in the realm of double guns and rifles. This rifle was made with blued steel chopperlump barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight with flip-up hood, a gold centerlined two-leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight on the rear quarter rib, and front sling eyelet on the under rib. The barrels are adorned with exquisite intricate floral scroll engraving on the quarter rib and at the back of the front sight and gold inlaid "WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co., ENGLAND" signature on the sunken portion of the rib. The barrels are marked with ".500 3" NITRO EXPRESS" and "REG FOR 570 GRN BULLET" marked on the right and left respectively near the breech as well as 2016 dated Birmingham proof marks on the flats along with the import mark. The barrels are fitted to a beautiful vibrantly case colored hand detachable droplock action embellished with exquisite deep scrollwork on the fences and tight scroll covering nearly the entire surface aside from the gold inlaid "WESTLEY RICHARDS" signature banners on either side and the magnificent deep relief cut game scene bordered in fine gold inlay depicting a bull cape buffalo staring down the viewer. The scroll flows off of the action and continues onto the toplever, triggerguard, and the upper and lower tangs with gold serial number on the latter. The rifle is signed "A. DAMMENHAYN" on the triggerplate to the right of the trigger by German Master Engraver Anja Dammenhayn, who completed this outstanding piece of firearms high art. The rifle features bushed firing pins, chambers with automatic ejectors, right hand rolled triggerguard, double triggers (front articulated), and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The rifle is fitted with a gorgeous, richly figured, splinter forend with a horn tip inlay and engraved fittings including the Deeley latch release as well as a pistol grip stock with engraved and casehardened trapdoor grip cap, raised shadowline cheekpiece, rear sling eyelet, gold inscription oval engraved "S.R.M" with flourishes and filled blue, and a leather covered recoil pad. Length of pull 15 9/16 inches. Weight 12 lbs. 10 oz.

New, as shipped directly from Westley's U.S. agency to Rock Island Auction Company. This is a fantastic chance to own a gun by one of the finest gunmakers in the world without the years long wait!