The makers have kindly confirmed that this rifle was ordered on November 16, 1896 and completed on April 11, 1900. It was built for J. Lyon & Co. and exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition prior to delivery. With fine Damascus barrels with sunken concave rib signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 178. NEW BOND ST. LONDON” and engraved “3 /4 IN. CASE 12 DRAMS SPHERICAL BALL 10 DRAMS CONICAL BULLET” with a spray of engraved scrollwork at each end and doll’s head extension engraved with a shell. Matted scroll engraved ramp mounted bead front sight and matted swamped scroll engraved quarter rib with rear sight of two folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line, the leaves respectively graduated for “50” and “100” yards. Action finely engraved with tight scrollwork and signed on each flank “WESTLEY RICHARDS” within a ribbon, manual safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, blued scroll engraved toplever, and the bolster around the toplever engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT EJECTOR”. Blued trigger guard finely engraved with a charging bull elephant and blued pistol grip cap engraved with a flourish of scrollwork. Barrels and action struck with Birmingham black powder proof marks. Well figured 15 inch pistol grip stock including rubber recoil pad, with raised cheekpiece, and checkered behind the action, on the grip and on the forearm, the latter with dark horn tip and Deeley & Edge fastener. The underside of the butt with large blank silver oval initial escutcheon and sling mount, the corresponding sling mount fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 16 lbs. 3 oz. The rifle is accompanied by a factory letter and copies of the records relating to this rifle. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

The detailing on this enormous rifle’s barrels is fabulous and must rate as one of the best looking late Victorian large bore double rifles extant. The barrels have a very fine Damascus twist pattern, the engraving is mostly clear with some slight softening to some of the matting on the quarter rib and front sight ramp. The barrels have a grey patina with some scattered small patches of discoloration. The action is a dull grey patina with clear engraving throughout. Toplever and trigger guard retain 80% reblued finish with clear engraving. The stock has been expertly refinished and has scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes. The checkering is sharp throughout. Mechanically excellent.