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LOT 3418
Fine Engraved Westley Richards .500
(Black Powder Express) Double Barrel Boxlock Ejector “Large Game Rifle” with Case
- Serial no. 14971, 500 Black Powder Express cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 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.
CONDITION: 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.
casehardened action has carved percussion fences and rebounding back action locks with safety catches and signed “ALEXR. HENRY LTD.” It has border and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with London black powder proof marks. The well-figured walnut pistol grip stock includes a later rubber recoil
pad, raised cheekpiece, checkered grip and forearm, iron cap engraved en suite and with hinged trap cover, a lever fastener on the forearm, and a sling eye on the underside of the butt, and the corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrels. It comes in a canvas and leather Brady case lined in burgundy baize. 14 1/4 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 9 oz.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain 95% thinned browned finish with a pleasing Damascus pattern clearly visible and softened engraved signature and file cutting on rib. The action and locks are mostly a grey patina with faded traces of original casehardened finish and clear engraving. The spring for the pistol grip cap hinged cover has been replaced, and the hinged cover is slightly proud of the cap when closed. The refinished wood is very good and has the occasional scattered age related storage and handling marks, a small chip at the rear of the forend, and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is in good condition with mild wear mainly on
the exterior.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 3419
Fine Engraved Alexander Henry .500 (Black Powder
Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Hammer Rifle with
Case - Serial no. 6945, 500 Black Powder Express cal., 28 inch solid rib
bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm
that this third quality rifle was completed on January 18, 1897. The browned Damascus
barrels are each engraved with band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The flat partially file cut
matted rib is signed “ALEXR. HENRY LTD. MAKER TO HER MAJESTY./EDINBURGH AND LONDON.” and has a bead
front sight, a rear sight of one standing notch sight and one folding notch leaf sight graduated to 200 yards, and a doll’s head extension. The