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An extremely nice, original example of a Westley Richards & Co. Special Colonial Quality Sporting Magazine Rifle completed in 1924.  

W.R.&Co. offered a variety of different grades or "qualities" of guns and rifles prior to WWII. The Special Colonial Quality rifle was made to a price point and did not incorporate the more expensive options available on Best Quality and Modele De Luxe versions. Often when referring to the level of embellishment of a gun, the word "quality" is used in the English gun trade the same way "grade" is used in the U.S. market. For the most part, guns and rifles made between the two world wars were all made to a very high level. That is really the reason the between-the-wars era is often referred to as the "golden age" of the English gun trade; because quality was so consistent from one gunmaker to the next. 

Like all bolt action magazine rifles made by W.R.&Co. during the 1920's, the Special Colonial Quality Sporting Magazine Rifle was based on a standard-length Mauser action with the “military” style floor plate and a flag safety. The 26" W.R.&Co. Special Steel barrel is fitted with an island rear sight block with 1 standing/4 folding leaves (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 yds) and an island foresight with brass beaded sight blade. The barrel is engraved: Westley Richards & Co. London with W.R.&Co's trademark Golden Triangle on the Nock's form and the the left side of the action's front ring marked with the serial number and .318 WR Accelerated Express.  

The stock has a 14 5/8" LOP over a smooth steel trap-butt plate with Mullered bordered, wrap-around point pattern checkering on the hand and forearm of the stock and horn grip cap and forend tip. Traditional sling eye on the toe line, the front sling eye mounted to the bottom of the barrel. The rifle weighs 7 lbs. 13.6 oz.  

The rifle also remains in remarkably high, original condition with a perfect bore. The rifle has that well weathered patina developed slowly over 99 years but was well cared for and retains much of its original black on the barrel, action and bottom metal and much original oil finish on the stock. Even the stock oval remains blank and the "Made in England" cartouche on the toe-line just behind the grip remains prominent and undisturbed. 

Original pre-war rifles by W.R.&Co. chambered for the .318 Accelerated Express are quite hard to find today in any grade but it is exceedingly rare to find a Colonial Quality, a rifle intended for hard use, remaining in such high original condition and collectors should take note. 

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