Blued steel chopper lump barrels with floral scroll engraving on the concave solid rib which is marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co. ENGLAND." and matching engraved, raised rear quarter rib with engraved scope mounting blocks, two leaf folding express sight marked for 100 and 250 yards, and raised, hooded beaded blade front sight. The barrels are equipped with ejectors, wedges of oak leaf engraving at either breech, have standard Birmingham proofs on the flats and are marked with a gold inlaid "300" at the rear of the rib. Casehardened boxlock action features near full coverage floral scroll engraving surrounding "WESTLEY RICHARDS" on either side, beautiful lightly carved and oak leaf engraved fences, and hand detachable action plate and removable gold washed locks. The triggerguard also has floral scroll engraving and is gold inlaid with the initials "R.C.H." (likely a factory error as the rest of the items in this lot bear the correct "T" middle initial). Gold plated double triggers and tang mounted safety with secondary safety latch. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered forend with Deeley latch release, engraved fittings, and ebony wood tip insert along with the pistol grip stock with casehardened and engraved trapdoor grip cap, left handed cheek piece, and leather wrapped recoil pad. This rifle is consecutively serial numbered to the following two lots and are part of a trio ordered together. Included are copies of multiple period article and one full newspaper explaining the hassle in obtaining this, and the other two rifles. The original buyer, Robert T. Hayley ordered the rifles in 1973 with an initial agreement of 3,000 pounds a piece to be completed in two years. After 10 years, and more than triple the quoted cost, Hayley flew to England to sue for his guns and the issue was settled out of court. Included along with the documentation is a leather bound takedown case marked "ROBERT T. HAYLEY" on the lid with canvas cover marked "R.T.H." containing a full compliment of tools, an extra set of gold wash locks, nickel oiler and snap caps, and B. Nickel 1-4x E/S scope. Also included is a leather bound cartridge box with the "R.T.H." initials on the lid. 14 1/16 inch length of pull. Weight 10 lbs 4 oz. Provenance: Firearms for Freedom Collection

Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue and 98% case colors with some areas being slightly muted. The wood is very fine with a few minor handling marks, and crisp checkering. The case and accessories are very fine and the cartridge box is miss one strap, otherwise it is very fine. Scope optics clear. Mechanically excellent.