Page 219 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3393
Double Barrel Droplock
Fine & Rare Westley Richards “Gold Name” .450/.400 (Nitro Express) Ejector Rifle - Serial no. 8664, 450/400 cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured in circa 1904 featuring the famous Deeley and Taylor patent hand-detachable locks (British Patent No. 17731 of July 28, 1897). This rifle is chambered for the classic .450/.400 nitro express cartridge which prior to the introduction of the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum
was considered the best all-round game shooting cartridge and found great favor with hunters in Africa and India. The blued barrels are respectively signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 178. NEW BOND ST. LONDON. GUN MAKERS BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD VII” and “W.R. HIGH VELOCITY
NITRO EXPRESS RIFLE. .400 BORE”, and each tube is engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the
breech end. The sunken concave rib is partially engraved with fine classic English scrollwork and sighting comprises a block mounted bead front sight with flip-up moon-sight and patent flip-over tunnel cover and partially matted rear
sight ramp with sight formed of one standing notch sight and two folding leaf notch sights graduated to 300 yards. The casehardened treble grip action is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” in gold on each side, engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS/EJECTOR” ahead of the blued toplever, bolted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and “BOLTED”, blued detachable floorplate, and blued trigger guard. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks. The well-figured walnut pistol grip stock has a raised cheekpiece and panels of multipoint checkering on the grip and forearm, a rubber recoil pad , a casehardened grip cap with hinged trap cover, and a casehardened Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip on the forearm. The underside of the butt is numbered “18” and has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon and blued sling eye, and the corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrel. 14 5/8 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 15 oz. CONDITION: Excellent as professionally refurbished. The barrels, action and furniture each retain nearly all of their renewed blued and casehardened finish and have slight handling and storage marks. The stock has also been professionally refinished and retains well-defined checkering with occasional scattered minor age related storage and handling blemishes and a small chip along the left edge of the trigger guard tang within the checkered area. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 3394 Fine & Rare Engraved Westley Richards .400/.360 (WR Nitro Express) Double Barrel Droplock Ejector Rifle with Case - Serial no. 16025, 400/360 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 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. CONDITION: 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. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 8,000 - 14,000
217