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Lot 3376:Westley Richards Cased Pair of Percussion Pistols

September 12th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Lot 3376:Westley Richards Cased Pair of Percussion Pistols

September 12th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$3,000 - $5,000

A) Westley Richards Pistol

This attractive pair of pistols would have been well-suited for a British gentleman or perhaps a military officer; though the latter would likely have preferred pommel caps. The large smooth bores could have fired man or horse stopping lead balls or buck and ball loads for defense while traveling. Combined with the fixed sights these would have also made the pair candidates for use in a duel should a man's honor have required it. They were manufactured by Westley Richards in the 1830s, one of the top gunmakers in English and arguably world history. "WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST LONDON" marked on the top flat of both of their smoothbore, Damascus barrels with brass post front sights and platinum banded and lined breeches. The shop on New Bond Street opened in 1815. Swivel mounted ramrods are mounted below the barrels. These were a popular feature on late muzzle loading pistols and were especially well-suited to those using pistols on horseback since the ramrod could not be dropped. The locks are marked "WESTLEY RICHARDS" along the upper edge at the nose and sliding safeties. Most of the fittings aside from the barrels have flourishes of scrollwork. The wedge and thumb plates are silver. The trigger guard tangs are both numbered "708". The stocks have multi-point checkering. The pair comes in an English fitted hardwood case with a handle on top, Westley Richards trade label with the same address as the barrels, bullet mold, small powder flask, bore rod, screwdriver, and two spare nipples.

ConditionVery fine, attractive Damascus patterns with 75% original brown finish on the barrel with brown patina on the balance. Retains 50% strong original case colors mostly concentrated on the hammer, breech plug and barrel tang, with the lock retaining its colors around the base of the hammer and smooth gray patina on the balance. The trigger guard retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with brown patina on the balance, and the ramrod entry pipe retains 20% original blue finish. The silver has an aged patina. There is some light spotting and minor marks throughout. Engraving and markings remain crisp throughout. The stock is also fine with some light scratches, distinct checkering, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Case is fine with scattered scratches, attractive felt lining with minor wear, a complete label with light aging, a section of the latch plate is broken, and will not close all the way due to an absent key.

Details

ManufacturerWestley Richards

ModelPercussionwr

TypePistol

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge70

Barrel5 inch octagon

Finishbrown/casehardened/blue

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page207

B) Westley Richards Pistol

Reference "A" description.

ConditionVery fine, attractive Damascus patterns with 75% original brown finish on the barrel with brown patina on the balance. Retains 50% strong original case colors mostly concentrated on the hammer, breech plug and barrel tang, with the lock retaining its colors around the base of the hammer and smooth gray patina on the balance. The trigger guard retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with brown patina on the balance, and the ramrod entry pipe retains 20% original blue finish. The silver has an aged patina. There is some light spotting and minor marks throughout. Nipple has a cracked/absent section. Engraving and markings remain crisp throughout. The stock is also fine with some light scratches, distinct checkering, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.