Dating to circa 1839 and sold out of the famous New Bond Street shop by William Bishop, the “Bishop of Bond Street”. With browned damascus barrels with concave rib signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST. LONDON” and with bead front sight. The underside of the barrels struck with Birmingham proof marks. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug, inlaid with a platinum line and engraved with a rococo shell on the rib section. Casehardened standing breech and floating bar-in-wood locks, the latter each signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” and with stepped tail. Casehardened trigger plate and blued buttplate and trigger guard, the last with grip safety mechanism. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Well-figured walnut half-length stock with checkered grip and blank silver rectangular initial escutcheon at the wrist. Brass mounted ramrod with worm.

Fine and apparently made with short barrels. The barrels retaining 90% older rebrowned finish with clear rib signature. Standing breech with traces of original casehardened finish, locks with 30% faded original casehardened finish. Trigger guard, butt plate and trigger plate respectively with 30-40% original finish. Engraving clear throughout. Stock with age related storage and handling marks throughout and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.