This rifle was manufactured in the early 1890s using the famous Anson & Deeley patent boxlock action and the Deeley patent ejector system. The browned Damascus barrels are each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The sunken concave rib is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170 NEW BOND ST. LONDON” and engraved “LARGE GAME RIFLE” and “FOR WESTLEY RICHARDS SPECIAL 3 IN. TAPER CARTRIDGE .500 BORE”. The front bead sight is mounted on a partially scroll engraved block, and the dovetailed rear sight is mounted on a rounded scroll engraved block and is formed of one standing notch and two folding leaf notch sights each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 300 yards. The breech end is fitted with a short scroll engraved raised sighting flat extending to a doll’s head extension. The casehardened treble grip action is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” within a ribbon on each side, engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS/PATENT EJECTOR” ahead of the blued toplever, and has a bolted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and “BOLTED,” a blued floorplate, and a blued trigger guard. The whole is engraved with fine English scrollwork, and the trigger guard includes a vignette of a rhinoceros. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham black powder proof marks. The well-figured 14 3/8 inch walnut pistol grip stock has a rubber recoil pad, a raised cheekpiece, and panels of multipoint checkering to the grip, behind the action, and on the forearm. The grip has a scroll engraved casehardened 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 a blued sling eye. The corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrel. Weight 9 lbs. 1 oz. In maker’s brass cornered oak and leather fitted case lined in green baized with a Westley Richards printed trade label and instructional labels for use and cleaning inside the lid, snap caps, and a nickeled Westley Richards oiler. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good. The barrels retain 98% rebrowned finish with crisp signatures and scroll engraving to the sight blocks and some minor marks. The action has 20% faded original casehardened finish and nearly all of the renewed blued finish to the toplever, floorplate, and trigger guard as well as crisp engraving throughout. The stock has been refinished and retains well-defined checkering with occasional scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior has age related wear and staining. The lining has some age fading and wear, and there are some age stains on the labels.