Unusual Westley Richards Single Barrel 20 Gauge

At Westley Richards we take real pleasure in displaying rare and unusual guns for the readers of the Explora and we certainly handle more than most gunmakers. Sadly not all of these guns are for sale and it’s more of a case of ‘you can look, but don’t touch’. Luckily though, from time to time, we do get those rare and interesting guns come through that are for sale and you can by all means look, touch, shoot, own, admire and adore.

By Ricky Bond

One such gun is this very special and neat little single barrel 20g non ejector shotgun, a model we very seldom see. Completed on the 17^th of December 1926, built for stock and sold through our Bennetts Hill, Birmingham city centre shop, it features a 28” ribless barrel with a 2 ½” chamber, choked 5/8 and proofed for 7/8oz loads. Built on an Anson & Deeley fixed lock action with a tang top lever, automatic safety, with name and border engraving, it retains some lovely original case colours. A highly figured, straight hand stock measures 14 ¼” to the centre of the chequered butt, complemented with a silver oval, snap forend and horn tip. The gun weighs 5lbs 10oz and is a real beauty to handle.

This gun would bring a different type of enjoyment to hunting. It’s not about how many you can shoot, or how high, it’s the simplistic, no frills, bare roots of the single barrel and action coupled with its rarity, classic looks and quaint demeanour which would make for some very special and memorable hunting.

A similar gun which featured in our pre-war catalogue was the Single Barrel Top Lever Pigeon Gun at a cost of £25.

I couldn’t think of a more fitting Christmas present for your son, daughter, wife or more likely, yourself. The gun will be advertised on our used gun site shortly.

By Ricky Bond

3 Comments

Neill on December 13, 2017 at 6:11 pm

That really is very nice. A single barrel encourages good shooting!

Reply
Peter Buckley. on December 16, 2017 at 1:26 pm

Hi Ricky

What a great shotgun, if you hadn't said it was built for 'stock'I would have presumed it was built for a client, quite elegant!
I do agree with Neill about a single barrel encouraging good shooting. I'm sure it will find a home that will thoroughly enjoy owning and using such a treasure!

Kind regards. Peter.

Reply
E.P. on December 18, 2017 at 6:50 pm

Happy to say that this gun will be headed to the USA to be a starter gun for a little boy. Thanks so much Mr. Bond!

Cheers!

Reply