The .250-3000 Savage cartridge, originally developed for the Savage Model 99 lever rifle, was a popular high velocity chambering for hunting rifles from its inception in 1915 and was the first American cartridge to obtain a velocity of 3000 ft/s. While mostly associated with Savage-made lever rifles, its popularity spread, and some British gunmakers made lighter weight double rifles chambered for this high velocity cartridge. These are seldom encountered making this rifle a rarity amongst classic British double rifles. Manufactured in circa 1925, this rifle features blued barrels with a concave rib signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO. LONDON”, “FOR .250/3000 HI-POWER CARTRIDGE” engraved on the left barrel towards the breech, and each barrel engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The rib is partially engraved with fine classic English scrollwork, and sighting comprises a ramp mounted bead front sight and matted quarter rib with two folding notch sights respectively graduated for 50 and 200 yards, two scroll engraved blanking plates for scope fittings and “250” inlaid in gold ahead of a doll’s head extension. The casehardened treble grip action is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.” on each side and has blued removable firing pin bushings, a blued toplever, cross pin, automatic safety, blued floorplate and blued trigger guard. All are lightly engraved with classic English border and scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks, and it is import marked under the forearm. The figured 14 1/2 inch walnut pistol grip stock including two slender extension pieces and a Pachmayr black rubber recoil pad has panels of multipoint checkering on the grip and forearm, a dark horn grip cap, and blued Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip on the forearm. The underside of the butt has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon and blued sling eye, and the corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrel. Weight 8 lbs. 10 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good with clear engraving throughout. The barrels retain 98% of their reblued finish with some storage blemishes. The action retains 20% faded original casehardened finish. The action floorplate has nearly all of its reblued finish, and the trigger guard has 90% reblued finish. Partial expert restock: the butt was replaced, but the original forearm wood is retained. Both have well-defined checkering, a slight crack forming off the forend shoe, a slight chip on the grip cap, and minor marks. Mechanically excellent.