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The engraving may be only skin deep (actually it is cut before the colour case hardening is applied) but it, along with the finish and figure of the walnut stock, is often the most immediately appreciated aspect of a gun appraised for the first time.
When it was introduced in 1875 by Westley Richards, the Anson & Deeley 'box-lock' provided ample space for the engraver on the square body of the action, this was carried into the 'drop-lock' era when Leslie Taylor patented his hand-detachable locks in 1897.
Unlike an Anson & Deeley gun, those made to Taylor's patent do not have visible pins on the exterior surface. This provides an uncluttered canvas for the engraver to use.
In this case the customer has chosen a number of varied vignettes of game birds on each surface. The No.1 gun has pheasant in flight on the cover plate, French partridges in flight on the right side and red grouse in flight on the left side.
The No.2 gun has mallard in flight on the cover plate, woodcock in flight on the right side and English partridge in flight on the left side.
The actions are gracefully convex, with scroll backs facing the head of the stock. These are not merely decorative, they add new points of grip and solidity to the joint where wood meets steel.
Surrounding the game scenes, the entirety of the action and furniture is covered with medium bold scrolls of exquisite detail and complexity. The black-hatched background contrasting with the polished steel and the glossy black of the barrels and the deep blue of the trigger blades.
No detail is left 'well enough'; the upper sections of the trigger blades are 'spotted' and the chequer lines on the top-lever and safety button are faultlessly cut.
The degree of symmetry from one gun to the other is stunning. Placed side by side, they match perfectly in every detail, from the Deeley forend catches and ebonite finials to the chequered butt soles.
Balance is essential in making any aesthetic work, and the tastefully limited use of gold inlay on these guns illustrates that nicely.
The barrels on this pair of traditional English game guns are 29" long and they have been proof tested for 70mm standard proof pressures.
We are often asked about barrel wall thickness, as many people consider used guns with thin walls and wonder what the original thickness should be. These barrels measure .729" in the bores; which is true 12-bore (12 identical-sized balls made from a pound of pure lead).
The minimum wall thickness is 0.34" and the muzzles are fitted with invisible Teague chokes, which are interchangeable.
Along with the engraving, the figure and depth of colour in the walnut stocks is an obvious element affecting the impact the guns have visually. These days, exhibition grade wood, like this, is increasingly considered an essential ingredient in the building of a best gun.
With the added genius of our finisher's thousands of coats of hand-applied oil necessary to build up a finish with this depth and warmth, the walnut has a chance to tell its own story of a century or more of slow growth in arid conditions.
With 15" stocks, the weight of these 29" barrelled 12-bores is a classic mid-weight of 6lbs 8oz, recalling the handling characteristics of the late 1920s, before the fad for very short barrelled, very light game guns took hold.
Unlike heavy modern over & unders, these guns are made to swing fast onto their target and allow the sportsman to be reactive when shooting covert or grouse moor.
The straight-hand stocks are traditional and perhaps the most effective pattern for use with two triggers, allowing for fast and easy movement of the gun in hand between shots.
The best recipe for the ideal hammerless game gun for shooting in Britain was realised by our forefathers in the early 1900s and it remains relevant today.
Those qualities are embodied in this sunning pair of 12-bores, with the modern convenience of interchangeable chokes; offering a degree of flexibility which could only be achieved in the old days by building multiple sets of interchangeable barrels.
Whether for the discerning collector or the avid sportsman, Westley Richards firearms represent the epitome of excellence in the world of bespoke gunmaking. Known for the droplock shotgun, over and under shotgun, double barrel rifle and bolt action rifle, the company has achieved an illustrious 200 year history of innovation, craftmanship and artistry. As part of our best gun build, clients can choose from three levels of gun engraving: the house scroll; signature game scenes; and exhibition grade masterpieces. All Westley Richards sporting arms are built at their factory in Birmingham, England. Discover more about the gunmaking journey at our custom rifles and bespoke guns pages.
