Built around a Mauser action, this beautiful rifle was owned by Raja Bhuri Singh of Chamba (b.1869-d.1919, r.1904-1919) in northern India in Punjab as denoted on the case lid. He also held the honorary titles Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (1901), Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (1906), and Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (1918). He was dedicated to the improvement of his territory and instituted public works such as widening roads, gaining royal control of the forests, establishing electricity, and the construction of an important museum that bears his name to preserve a large collection of historical artifacts significant to the region. The rifle features a finely matted 26 inch four step barrel with a hooded raised ramp blade front sight and a five leaf (four folding, one fixed) rear sight with 100 yd to 500 yd markings. The sides of the front sight ramp are engraved with floral scroll designs, and the top front and rear of the rear sight base has a shell design. The right side of the rear sight base is marked "WR DETACHABLE BARREL." The top of the barrel at the breech is marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO/LONDON" amid fine scroll engraving. There is a sling swivel eye mounted on the underside of the barrel. The receiver is a mixture of smooth and matte finish and is engraved floral scroll and gold inlaid scroll designs. The left side of the front receiver ring is marked "38458/crown/V/WESTLEY RICHARDS/425 MAGNUM/EXPRESS". The bolt handle is engraved with gold inlaid scroll work, and there is a "crown/V" present. The bolt handle knob is horn and is checkered on one side. The safety lever is also engraved with a floral scroll pattern. The bolt release and top of the bolt assembly are marked "15". The trigger guard is engraved with a gold inlaid tiger's head flanked by floral scroll designs. The hinged magazine has a gold inlaid ram in a wooded scene, the right side has two gold inlaid moose in a wooded scene, and the bottom has two gold inlaid bears in a wooded scene. Each scene is flanked by floral scroll engraving. The bottom front of the magazine is marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS/PATENT 100/09/42". All blue finish other than the golden accents and mounted with a nicely figured multi-point and fluer-de-lis checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with contrasting forend cap, solid grip cap, cheek piece, sling swivel eye, and lightly engraved steel buttplate with compartment and gold initial oval inscribed with overlapping "THK". Comes with a hard leather bound takedown case with brass corner protectors and reinforcements, leather straps and handle. The two level interior is green felt with a Westley Richards label affixed to the inside of the lid. In the case is a two piece cleaning rod, a sling, nickel oiler and 2 five count boxes of Kynoch 425 Richards Nitro Express cartridges, (1 full, 1 with 4 rounds). The outside of the lid is embossed "H.H. RAJA SIR BHURI SINGH, K.C.S.I." An accompanying factory letter (facsimile) touts the superb "modele de deluxe" workmanship dated to 1911, and although the records do not confirm who the rifle was originally built for, the quality of this gun alone makes it certain that it was built for someone of great wealth such as a raja.

Very fine with 99% plus refurbished blue finish remaining. The refinished wood is also very fine with a few minor dents and dings and very crisp checkering. All of the gold inlay remains, and the engraving is crisp and clear. The markings are clear. The action is excellent. The case is very good with some stains on the exterior and some very light contact wear on the interior. The accessories are excellent.