Westley Richards ‘Ovundo’ 12-bore Shotgun

The Ovundo was the Westley Richards answer to the over & under question being asked in the early 20th century. Several British makers addressed the challenge of making a reliable, attractive and effective sporting gun with one barrel over the other.

Launched in 1914 but principally made during the 1920s, only around 200 Ovundos were made (in bores from 28-10) before production ceased with the outbreak of the Second World War. Most were drop-locks but some fixed-lock versions were also produced.

The Ovundo was available in a range of grades, from 'Special Grade' to 'Highest Quality' and every one was built as a custom order, so there is  tremendous variance from one example to another.

The Ovundo photographed here (No.18511) is a very unusual trap gun variant, made in 1935 for Sir Allan Clark, who was, at the time, a member of the England Down-the Line Team and a champion clay shot for almost two decades.

Sir Allan had a shooting style which required his left hand to be well forward, which Westley Richards facilitated in this build by making a special elongated forend.

To lighten the barrels, there is no rib between them, they are fixed only at breech and muzzle, this feature also helps to dissipate the heat generated by repeated firing.

Although a competition gun, it was originally proofed for the standard British 2 1/2" cartridge. The action, with decorative side-plates, retains a high percentage of its original case colours and remains mechanically superb with sharp lines and hardened surfaces.

It has long been noticed by discerning shooting men that guns of this era in excellent condition are great prospects as customisation projects. The quality is superb and the style very hard and expensive to replicate today. That is exactly what occurred when the previous owner bought Sir Allan's trap gun.

He re-imagined it as high pheasant gun and had it re-stocked to suit his own frame and different shooting requirements. The style of stock, with its elegant pistol grip has been replicated and is entirely in-keeping with the original. He also had the chambers lengthened to accept modern 70mm cartridges and proof tested accordingly.

At a weight of 7lbs, 7oz, it is sufficiently robust to handle heavy loads and the full chokes in each barrel provide the range required to take on the tallest birds.

The Ovundo locking system evident in this example relies on two hooks in the breech ends of the barrels. They lock into recesses in the standing breech the the gun is closed.

As they do, they push back two spring-loaded bolts, which lock over the projections, holding the barrels on the action. Lateral stability is provided by the long single lump, which is fully encased by the bar, which in turn, is dished to accept the lower barrel tube; the flat sections of the bar being either side of this cut-away.

It also features Westley Richards' own patent selective single-trigger (or 'one-trigger' as it was always described in the catalogues). The rib is flat and filed to reduce glare.

Sir Allan Clark competed as a member of the England Down-the Line Team in 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1949 and 1950. How many of those competitions were fought with this gun we are not sure but it seems likely that many were.

The gun is in remarkable condition and in its current form as a high pheasant gun serves its purpose very well indeed. However, should one have the desire to return it to trap shooting configuration, the original 15 1/4" trap stock is retained and can easily be re-fitted by a competent gunsmith.

It is presented in its original leather case, with burgundy baise lining and Westley Richards trade label, cloth and accessories.

No.18511 is unlike any gun likely to be encountered again. It was a unique build for a very accomplished competitor with specific ideas about performance and configuration.

Condition is remarkable and it has been customised and renovated to the very highest standards. Whether a Westley Richards collector, a collector of British over & under guns or a game shooter seeking a high bird gun unlike anyone else's, it might just be for you.