William Westley Richards founded his own company in 1812 at 82 High St., Birmingham. This shotgun features casehardened action and tangs with the remaining surfaces blue. Single brass bead sight on the matte solid rib with dolls head extension, choked modified/improved modified, chambered for 3" shells with ejectors. The top of the concave solid rib is marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO LONDON" . The scalloped action, trigger guard, break lever and forearm hardware are nicely engraved with fine English scroll patterns and "WESTLEY RICHARDS" in a banner on each side of the action. The trigger guard is engraved with a hunting dog in a wooded scene. The serial number is relief engraved on the lower tang. The top of the receiver is marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS / PATENT ONE TRIGGER" between the doll's head and break lever. The water table is marked with patent numbers and crown proofs. The bottom of each barrel flat is marked with the "crown / NP" and "crown / BV" proofs, the tonnage rating and marked 2 3/4", however the chambers gauge out at 3". Tang safety, single trigger with selector mounted to the right and gold inlaid "L" and "R". The shotgun is mounted with extra fancy European checkered walnut beaver tail forearm and straight grip stock with a solid red recoil pad and gold initial oval on the bottom.

Excellent. The barrels retain approximately 95% of the original finish with some thinning on the rib, some fading to a smooth plum on the muzzle ends and a few scattered scratches and scuffs. The lower receiver plate and trigger guard retain approximately 30-40% original blue finish with the balance having a smooth gray patina. The action has faded to a smooth satin gray with strong traces of the original faded case colors. The wood is excellent with only a few overall scattered minor dings and handling marks. The checkering is crisp. The markings and engraving remain clear and crisp. Mechanically excellent.