These recent additions to our archives and inventories are some of the finest examples of vintage Westley Richards guns and rifles extant; many of them featured in the 200 year history of the firm, In Pursuit of the Best Gun.
Pictured here are two more, a spectacular pair of Westley Richards double hammerless ejector rifles, numbers 16839 and 16840, built for Eldridge R. Johnson in 1906 in the exceedingly rare chamberings of .405 Winchester and .303 Savage, respectively.
This pair of rifles is unique in so many ways, it is hard to know where to start when describing them. To begin with, Droplock rifles made prior to 1910 are hard enough to come by, but to have a true pair, is quite special.
These are Classic Westley Richards Best Quality Hammerless Ejector rifles with full coverage scroll and the Maker’s name in flowing banners on the sides of the action bodies. The rifles have removable cover plates, pre-dating the introduction of the hinged version that came later in 1909. Each cover plate and trigger guard are engraved with game scenes. These rifles also have Westley’s unmistakable snap lever work and Model “C” doll’s head extension, selective “one-trigger” and the firm’s famous hand detachable locks.
Westley Richards & Co. was a pioneer in modern game scene engraving and Best Quality hammerless rifles featured scenes of game appropriately hunted with the rifle. However, these two rifles feature game animals I have not seen on any other vintage WR rifle, some of which could be found in both North America or Europe. Animals such as a grizzly bear or European brown bear on the cover plate of the .405 Winchester and the bust of a moose on its trigger bow. The .303 Savage is engraved with a what could be a bugling elk or roaring stag with the more commonly engraved tiger on its guard bow. Being that the original customer was an American businessman, maybe we can assume these rifles feature animals found in the U.S.
The rifles both have 26” saddle-lump barrels and WR pattern quarter ribs, with 1 standing/2 folding leaf sights (100, 200, 300 yds) that are platinum lined and Westley’s patent combination foresight and registered folding sight hood. The rifles retain their original stocks and forends made of well figured walnut with full pistol grips, hinged-trap grip caps, beaded cheekpieces, checkered side panels with drop points, traditional sling eyes and Deeley catches and horn tips on the forends. The rifles have wonderfully cut flat-top checkering (something not often seen on WR guns after about 1910) and Mullered borders. The .405 Winchester retains its original “Noshoc” Anti-Recoil pad and the .303 Savage its engraved steel heel and toe plates. Finally, both rifles are complete in their respective Westley Richards Pattern oak and leather case of extra superfine leather tacked on with the characteristic brass pins on the lid’s edge with side bolts, brass corners, and double action locks.
In addition to the rifles being pictured in the company’s history book, another bit of interesting provenance on these rifles concerns the gentleman who ordered them, Mr. Eldridge R. Johnson. He was an American businessman and engineer who founded the Victor Talking Machine Co. in 1901. This was the corporate predecessor of RCA Records and, at the time, was one of the World’s leading producers of phonographs. The Victor Talking Machine company is best known for its registered trademark of the famous “His Master’s Voice” painting featuring a terrier looking curiously into a phonograph. Mr. Johnson was a loyal customer of Westley Richards & Co. and ordered a Modele De Luxe 12g Droplock from the firm in 1908. This gun is featured on page 124 of our History book.
Whether you consider the rarity of Westley rifles from this period or the even rarer fact that these are a pair, or the scarcity of their high, original condition, unusual calibers and unique engraving; clearly these are exceptional rifles in every way and great examples of why Westley Richards is such an enduring name in the English gun trade.
In Pursuit of the Best Gun, A bicentennial history of Westley Richards & Co. 1812-1912, written by Jeremy Musson and photographed by Terry Allen, is now in its second addition and can be purchased here: westleyrichards.com/in-pursuit-of-the-best-gun-1812-2012-2nd-edition
Westley Richards has an outstanding reputation for supplying a comprehensive selection of pre-owned guns and rifles. We pride ourselves on our in depth knowledge of the many sporting arms built over the last 200 years, placing particular emphasis on big game rifles, like the 577 Nitro Express, 505 Gibbs and 425 Westley Richards. Whether looking to grow or sell your collection of firearms, or simply require a trusted evaluation, our team from the sales department would be delighted to hear from you. To view the latest available, head to the used shotguns and used rifles pages, and for those interested in new firearms, explore our custom rifles and bespoke guns pages.
neil mcveigh on November 13, 2020 at 4:45 am
What a pair of beauties!Nice article LD,I have a question for you.I have a double rifle from around that time and a shotgun from a few years later.
Both are single trigger and detachable locks.The locks on the rifle are like these pair not jewelled,while the shotguns locks are "gold washed".Who determined whether the locks were jewelled or otherwise?Was it the customer or the factory?
Neil
LD McCaa on November 13, 2020 at 7:59 am
Thank you Neil! As you know, bespoke guns and rifles are made to the customer's preferences. That said, the locks on this rifle are indeed jeweled or "spotted" as they say at the factory (it just doesn't show up well in the photos). It has always been my belief that this was first done for practical reasons, to help the steel parts hold oil. The stunning visual affect is a bonus. The guns and rifles I have observed without spotting on the locks were usually guns sold at lower price points. The gold washed parts is something that I have also observed on other Westley's and I believe this was a customer request rather than a "standard practice" at the factory.
I would welcome any feedback from other readers to hear their experience with such details.
Edward A. Talmo on December 5, 2020 at 2:09 pm
I always had a passion for truly well crafted rifles and pistols. Your examples were everything one could want in design and craftsmanship.
LD McCaa on December 6, 2020 at 7:48 am
I couldn’t agree more Edward!