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The result was the .404 Jeffery, which has always enjoyed something of a reputation. Almost one-hundred-and-twenty years later, Westley Richards has just finished the latest .404 Jeffery project, which is destined to take on the largest of the dangerous game Africa has to offer.
Hunters of the 1960s would have been astounded to hear that the .404 Jeffery was still being delivered in 2024, as the decline of Empire had led to a deleting from the range of many big game cartridges, the .404 among them.
However, a modern revival of commercial ammunition supplies has, once again, made this old favourite a practical option for those commissioning a new rifle. This one has been regulated to fire .400-grain Kynoch cartridges, with Woodleigh bullets.
The action is a Magnum Mauser '98 with Winchester-type three position safety.
It has been made for travel and the take-down action makes it easy to fit into a case only 25" long, into which the 'scope, accessories and tools also fit. It is a lightweight model in buffalo leather, with green Alcantara lining.
The screw-thread take-down system is one we first started using before the Great War. It is released by means of a new, Deeley-catch styled, button on the forepart.
The .404 is a relatively comfortable means of shooting a 400-grain bullet, which is why it became popular with game wardens in Africa. It is, however still a cartridge that needs respect, so the rifle weighs 1olbs 14ozs with open sights and 11lbs 13ozs with the Swarovski Z6I 'scope mounted.
The quality of the magazine rifles we build today far exceeds that of anything built in the past. We remain true to the style and aesthetic of the old classics but the degree of fit and finish, engraving and detailing, is leagues ahead.
The stock on this rifle is cut from exhibition grade walnut with a full pistol-grip hand and a modern Westley Richards cheek-piece to assure perfect fit and recoil absorption. A leather-covered rubber pad helps in that regard also.
The customer specified an East African bull elephant on the floor plate and deluxe bold scroll elsewhere.
The magazine itself has what we call a 'belly box', which is aesthetically pleasing and provides four-plus-one round capacity.
The magazine box, floor plate, safety shroud, recoil bar and grip cap are all colour case hardened, with gold name, serial number and 'SAFE'.
The elephant scene is brushed after case hardening to remove a layer of colour and make it more visible.
Gold is also used to highlight the maker's name, the ranges on the express sights and the name and number on the 'scope mounts. These small details really do endow an overall impression of class to the build.
The sling in the photographs is our Westley Richards canvas model with one-inch Q/D swivels, attached by a modern bandless swivel attachment.
The full coverage scroll engraving to the quarter rib, extended top-strap, guard-strap, which is also extended, and bridge, enhanced by a perfect deep blacking, further underscore the impression that this is a no expense spared rifle.
We have even replicated the engraving on the 'scope mounts.
Large calibre magazine rifles can look ungainly but the modern Westley Richards looks perfectly in proportion; purposeful but graceful.
Its mechanical efficiency matches its aesthetic quality. As for accuracy, the targets from regulation, which accompany every new rifle to its owner's home show three, perfectly central, bullets touching at 50-yards.
This rifle, finished in the early summer of 2024, is the perfect embodiment of all the processes and skills a modern rifle maker employs to create the best rifle that can be made.
Modern steels, beautifully made components, meticulous engineering precision, coupled with the artistic expression of the engraver and the file and draw-knife expertise of the time-served gunmakers at the bench combine to deliver a rifle beyond easy description.
We take on board all a customer's wishes, desires and hopes when he commissions a build like this. The smile on his face and the contented expression he adopts when he first cycles the bolt and puts face to comb invariably confirms we got it right again.
There is no substitute for heritage and experience and at Westley Richards, we have two centuries of it.
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.
