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Lot 1282:Cased Pair of Engraved Westley Richards Percussion Coat Pistols

May 20th, 2023|Rock Island, IL

Lot 1282:Cased Pair of Engraved Westley Richards Percussion Coat Pistols

May 20th, 2023|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$6,500 - $9,500

A) Westley Richards Percussion Pistol

These attractive 1830s percussion pistols have smoothbore, Damascus barrels with post front sights, "WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST LONDON" on top, and casehardened patent breeches with platinum plugs. The casehardened standing breeches include notch rear sights. The casehardened locks are signed "WESTLEY RICHARDS" and have half-cock safeties. The ramrod pipes and trigger guards are blued. There is scroll and floral engraving. The stocks have checkered bag shaped grips. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver. The wrist escutcheons are inscribed "R," and the case lid is inscribed "J. REYNOLDS ESQ/1838." While the owner's identity has not been confirmed, there was a James-Jones Reynolds, Esq. (b. 1779) of Winsford House, Devon, England, as well as Irish immigrant James B. Reynolds (1779-1851) who was a lawyer and U.S. Congressman from Tennessee. The case has a Westley Richards trade label and an "I am Loaded" note (pistols not loaded now) and contains a small powder flask, nipple wrench, powder measure for a larger gun, cap tin, tow, patches, a ball mold, and a cleaning rod.

Rating definitionExceptionally fine. 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors remain. The silver has attractive aged patina. The barrel retains 60% plus of the original brown finish and has visible Damascus twist patterns. 60% of the bright original blue finish remains on the trigger guard. There is some light oxidation and smooth gray and brown patina on the faded areas. Wear is mostly limited to handling and storage marks. The stock is excellent and has crisp checkering, smooth finish, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have fairly minor age and storage related wear.

Details

ManufacturerWestley Richards

ModelPercussion

TypePistol

ClassAntique

Barrel5 1/4 inch octagon

Finishbrown/casehardened/blue/silver

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL

Catalog page272

B) Westley Richards Percussion Pistol

See "A."

Rating definitionExceptionally fine. 90% plus of the vibrant original case colors remain. The silver has aged to an attractive dark patina. The barrel retains 80% plus of the original brown finish and has visible Damascus twist patterns and minor oxidation staining. 70% of the original blue finish remains on the trigger guard, and the trigger guard has smooth brown patina. The pistol mostly only has some minor handling and storage marks. The stock is very fine and has crisp checkering, smooth finish, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.