Manufactured circa 1871-1877. This Westley Richards factory conversion from percussion to breech loading center fire features crolle pattern Damascus barrels, with 2 1/2 inch chambers, straight cylinder chokes, small pin front sight, smooth concave rib marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170 NEW BOND St. LONDON", Birmingham proofs on the underside, single extractor, and early style doll's head rib extension. This type of top locking breech was an important step in the development of what is considered the classic English breech loading shotgun. The shotgun has been factory converted to center fire with the addition of a casehardened standing breech with bushed firing pins and the hammers dished to correctly contact the pins. The locks, standing breech, hammers, and tangs feature decorative scroll engraving, standard maker's marks on the locks, and hammer heads engraved to look like fish. Checkered wedge fastened forearm with horn tip insert, and straight grip stock with blank initial oval, and thick checkered horn buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements are: bore diameter at 9 inches from breech .729/.729; minimum wall thickness .038/.038; drop at comb 1 1/2 inches; drop at heel 2 3/8 inches; length of pull 14 inches.

Very fine. The barrels have 80% Damascus patterns visible, scattered surface spotting, patches of mild gray patina, some scattered light pitting, and clear, legible rib markings. The locks, hammers, and standing breech have 60% original case colors with more vibrant patterns in the protected areas, well defined engraving, and 40% blue with the balance mostly gray patina on the trigger guard. The wood is fine well defined checkering, chip absent above the right lock, small dings and scratches throughout, and small dings and chips on the buttplate. Mechanically excellent.