Coming out of the workshop today is a very nice early Westley Richards stalking rifle in .7mm Mauser. The rifle is built on an Oberndorf commercial short action which makes for a very nice light rifle in this calibre. The rifle is in it's original full leather case and has been fitted with a Zeiss 6 x 42 telescope on EAW pivot mounts.
I am very tempted to keep this one as Trigger sold my very similar rifle which was the first rifle I used in Africa! I have no doubt though that you will find it on the used gun site tomorrow with a very attractive price! The only work we have done in the factory is check over, clean, replaced the trigger and polished the stock.
A couple more photographs here.
The rifle sold the following day, so never made it to the used gun site! SC 7th Sept.
Guy Hammerton on September 16, 2013 at 5:23 am
I have a very similar rifle serial number 35870 and although I know you do not have the original ledgers for that period, I would like to know if it would have been regulated for the heavier 7mm rounds originally.
Also if its not too cheeky what was the price guide on the above rifle.
Many thanks in advance.
Guy Hammerton
Simon Clode on September 16, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Your rifle will have been made just after the turn of the century 1903/4 period I would suspect. I think it would have been regulated for the Mauser rounds originally but you can test this by shooting the 100yd sight and see. The price guide is hard as it all depends on an individual rifles condition, barrel, action etc. Is it scoped, cased etc.
daniel contini on September 19, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Wow . I looked up the one of the guns my old idol Jim corbett used to hunt tigers and game and this is it. What a wonderful looking rifle ,thanks for the pictures.
Jim on June 21, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Yes, I too have idolized Jim Corbett. From 8 years old I began reading my India, then jungle lore, followed by the man-eater books. My parents started me reading above my level to push my abilities. My Mother an avid reader read Corbett.
M Ward on May 19, 2014 at 10:23 am
I know this is an old thread, but do you have any idea the length of pull on the stock, as well as barrel length?
Exquisite rifle.
Simon Clode on May 19, 2014 at 10:37 am
I am afraid the rifle is long gone and over in USA now. I think it had a length of 14.25".
M Ward on May 20, 2014 at 10:51 am
Thank you.
M Ward on May 20, 2014 at 11:38 am
One question, if I might. I notice that on many European rifles, the length of pull is a bit longer than in the USA. For instance, the standard length of pull in the USA is about 13.75 inches, while many European rifles begin at 14 inches. Jim Corbett's .275 Rigby had a length of pull right at 14.5 inches while the rifle in the picture is measured at 14.25. Is it a general rule that most European rifles have a generally longer length of pull, and if so, why?
Thanks.
Simon Clode on May 20, 2014 at 1:09 pm
I think you are correct in saying most American rifles are sold at 13.5 or 13.75 inches and typically we would be at 14 - 14.5. I have always thought that the American rifles are too short for many people but I also feel it is something Americans are used to. It may have been a solution to let the rifle fit as many people as possible, with inexpensive rifles, an off the shelf solution is required. The English rifles tend to be much more bespoke and so in these instances we would find the optimum fit for our customer where we take comfort, eye relief of scope and such things into account.
A shorter stock will fit into the pocket between the neck and shoulder and be more comfortable to shoot, a long stock say 15 inch may ride on the shoulder and with large recoiling calibre's this can be painful.
I hope this is some help.
M Ward on May 21, 2014 at 7:42 am
Very much. Thank you.
M Ward on June 8, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Simon, I was reading an old book last evening, "The Temple Tiger" by J. Corbett and he mentions purchasing a .275 WR from Manton's in India. Are there any details on that rifle?
Thanks
M Ward