This rifle was manufactured in circa 1900 featuring the famous Deeley and Taylor patent hand-detachable locks (British Patent No. 17731 of July 28, 1897). The .400/.360 Nitro Express cartridges were popular medium sized game cartridges in the early 20th century with several proprietary version offered by William Evans, Daniel Fraser, Purdey and Westley Richards. The blued barrels are respectively engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS HIGH VELOCITY” and “NITRO EXPRESS RIFLE .360 BORE”, and each tube is engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The sunken concave rib is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 178 NEW BOND ST. LONDON” and partially engraved with fine classic English scrollwork to the sight ramps, sighting comprises a bead front sight and rear sight formed of one standing notch sight and two folding leaf notch sights each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 300 yards. The bottom of the rib is import marked under the forearm. The treble grip action is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” within a ribbon on each side, engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT EJECTOR” ahead of the blued toplever, bolted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and “BOLTED”, hand detachable floorplate, and blued trigger guard. The whole engraved with classic English scrollwork, and the floorplate and trigger guard respectively include vignettes of a running stag and a kudu. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks. The well-figured walnut pistol grip stock has heel and toe plates, a raised cheekpiece, and panels of multipoint checkering on the butt, grip, behind the action, and on the forearm. The grip has a scroll engraved cap, and the forearm has a scroll engraved Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip. The underside of the butt has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon and blued sling mount, and the corresponding sling mount fitted beneath the barrel. It comes in a leather and wood case with a Westley Richards & Co. trade label as well as two additional labels concerning cleaning and use inside the lid, a glass oil bottle with Westley Richards marked cap, sling, and snap caps. 14 1/4 inch length of pull. Weight 8 lbs. 14 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine. The barrels retain nearly all of the renewed blued finish with slightly softened engraved details on the tubes and clear signature and scroll engraving on the rib. The action has slight traces of original casehardened finish, mostly silver-gray patina throughout, some softening to the engraving on the trigger guard but otherwise clear engraving throughout, spots of minor pitting, and minor overall wear. The stock has been refinished and retains well-defined checkering with occasional scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes, spliced toe, and some slight dents to edges of the butt. Mechanically excellent. The restored case has mild exterior wear, a repaired right latch, newer straps, and mild age and storage related wear on the interior.