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Westley Richards & Co. Best Quality Bolt Action Rifle chambered in .458 Winchester Magnum.  

This rifle was finished about 1985 and built on a Pre-War, Standard length ‘98 Mauser action with a two-position side safety, one piece bottom metal has a straddle floor plate and inside the bow release, and stippled trigger. The floor plate has a single raised gold elephant surrounded by scroll and balance of the metal is engraved in a House pattern scroll common during this era.  

The 24” barrel is engraved on top with the Maker’s name and fitted with a WR pattern quarter rib with 1 standing/2 folding leaf Express sights (50, 100, 150 yds), WR patent combination foresight and a banded and barrel mounted front sling swivel. All engraved in matching scroll. 

 The walnut stock is of nice straight figure, appropriate for a rifle of this caliber, and very nicely shaped with a low comb for using iron sights.  Right hand beaded cheekpiece, full pistol grip and an engraved steel trap grip cap and recoil bar. The stock is checkered in a traditional WR checkering pattern with Mullered borders at the points and a smooth border wrapping over the wrist. Horn forend tip and 13 7/8” LOP over a leather covered recoil pad and a blank gold stock oval. 

Gun shows some signs of being shot but does not appear to have been used hard or hunted. Stock retains most of its original oil finish and only shows a few handling marks, leather pad is only showing a slight bit of wear on the top and bottom edge and the metal retains almost all its original black. 

The bore is perfect and the rifle feeds flawlessly and is a very nice rifle to handle. The .458 Win. Mag. Is often misunderstood and bears a bad reputation due, mainly, to being ahead of its time. The cartridge has proven over many decades in the African bush, it is still a very good option and viable choice for a dangerous game cartridge.  

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