Enquire
That idiomatic expression is a bit deceiving though, as the most recent gun I’ve found is nowhere near as delicate or dainty as a rose. Quite simply, it’s a magnificent beast of a gun from an era that has long since passed.
In Westley Richards’ landmark 1912 Centenary catalogue, there is a section devoted to Wildfowl Guns stating:
“The term Wildfowl Gun is very comprehensive. With regard to portable guns fired from the shoulder it includes the 12 bores taking the long cartridge, the 10 bores, 8 bores, and 4 bores…the three larger calibres here mentioned may be particularly regarded as suitable for killing the largest wildfowl, for these guns discharge considerably increased charges of both powder and shot, and so with large shot, the wild geese, ducks, etc. may be killed at the most extended ranges possible.”
Original load data accompany's this amazing wildfowl gun.
To that measure, that is exactly what I have recently come across. This Westley Richards 8g A&D Fixed Lock was finished in 1909 and, just as the 1912 catalogue states, this gun is a “Double Hammerless Wildfowl Gun, in an 8 bore with a plain finish and anti-recoil heelplate” and these models were built on special order, to the customer’s specifications.
Accompanying the gun are three pages, clipped together, of beautifully handwritten notes showing the guns serial number, gauge, load data and pattern results at different size circles and distances for three different shot sizes. No doubt factory notes recorded when the barrels were regulated. Looking back at the ledgers, the gun was “sold to” one F.W. Lanchester who would, no doubt, have to be one Frederick W. Lanchester (Oct. 23, 1868 – March 8, 1946) who was an English automotive engineer and founder of Lanchester Engine Company and The Lanchester Motor Company in Birmingham, England. Certainly, the type that would be obsessive with data from test results.
Condition is king and this gun has it all. One of the finest 8 bore guns we have ever seen.
Along with the paperwork the gun is complete in its original lightweight canvas case, with the original oil pot, two-piece rosewood cleaning rod (that is massive) and original mop, jag and brush
Weighing in at just under 14 pounds with 34” barrels and “extreme choke” in each barrel, this is a long range shotgun of note. A true Westley in every sense built on the venerable Anson & Deeley Fixed Lock action and fitted with the patent Model “C” doll’s head bolting and snap lever work and an automatic “beetle” back safety. The gun was offered with ejectors, however, this is a non-ejector with two triggers. The gun stock has a Silver’s type pad, a capped pistol grip with a full-length trigger guard and a splinter forend with a Deeley latch and horn forend tip. The gun displays almost all its original, and very vivid, color hardening, blacking, and stock finish down to the original anti-recoil heel plate.
The rarity of this gun is off the charts (Trigger and I know of only three other 8g WR guns) but the completeness of the package and the super high, original condition is something not often if ever, encountered in a vintage gun of any sort. But to consider that a gun like this was intended to be exposed to the harsh environments where waterfowl are hunted, it is nothing short of a miracle that this gun has remained, all these years, in such phenomenal shape. While the gun does show a few tell-tell signs of being 110 years old, don’t we all wish we could age this gracefully?
Set next to a .410 droplock the 8 bore is an impressive beast!
David Hodo on March 24, 2019 at 3:14 am
Hi L.D.,
Hope you, your dad and the rest of the gang are well. This 8 bore gun is extremely interesting. And of course it looks like a WR gun should. I attended a double rifle shoot in Anchorage put on by Cal Pappas about two years ago, and will be attending again this May. He had many big bores such as 12, 10, 8 and 6, in rifles. I know there were Westley's there but can't recall which ones. After this recent post of yours, I will be looking and asking about guns such as this on my upcoming trip. Thanks for this recent post. What a prized possession this will be for a future owner!
David Hodo
Bryant, Arkansas
Ken Hill on March 24, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Always great to see guns over 100 years old in this type of condition. It makes you wonder why they weren't used more and the reason why they were put away. There was no 8 gauge ban in England like in the US. Why did the gun get put away? We may never know.
Ken
Peter Buckley. on March 26, 2019 at 10:19 am
Hi L.D.
What a fantastic survivor in such wonderful condition for a 110 year old, and to be found in its original case complete with accessories and load data simply outstanding!
Excellent comparison with the .410 shows just how enormous it really is, bye the way what a gorgeous little.410.
Is there any background as to why it was found in the in the US. ? If so I certainly would be interested to know and of course it would be part of it’s ‘provenance’.
Best regards
Peter.
Trigger on March 26, 2019 at 11:10 am
Hi Peter
Sadly there is no suggestion as to how the gun came to end up in the USA. Considering such guns were banned for use in the USA many years ago, perhaps it just arrived at the wrong time, hence the wonderful condition.
Best regards
Trigger
DAVID STYLES on December 22, 2020 at 3:00 pm
I still use an 8 .Whilst its range is not a lot more than the current era magnum loads in 12 bore its killing power on geese is exceptional. Hit them and they are dead, which is the most important conclusion shooting large strong wildfowl
Of course they must be in range which is the most difficult part for me, even shot at what looks like pint blank range they are usually over 50 yards over the ground when picked.
Wonderfull to see these guns shown, the wonderful sense of occasion felt when using them really makes the day. Do not store them..use them. David
LD McCaa on December 22, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Thanks David, The 8g is a force to be reckoned with for sure.
Stephen on January 23, 2021 at 6:12 pm
I had a WR double 10 bore, 32 inch Damascus barrels, back action locks, under lever opening. Used it for wildfowling on welsh estuaries. Sadly had to part with it in my younger days when I needed a new family car. Wish I still had it !
Steve.