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Westley Richards & Co. 16g Hand Detachable Lock Shotgun. 

Finished in 1909 and shipped to New York Sporting Goods, this is a wonderful early 20th century 16g Droplock in original condition.

Features Westley's patent Hand Detachable Lock action with a hinged cover plate, a square back and raised side panels, Snap Lever work and Model "C" Doll's Head bolting and Westley's ejector box, automatic "beetle" back safety and single selective Patent One Trigger. The action is engraved in one of Westleys' House engraving patterns of small scroll, the Maker's name in flowing banners on each side of the action, and engraved wedges at the barrel breaches.

Dovetail lump, Westley Richards Special Steel barrels are 26" and choked .005" in the right and .022" in the left. Barrels have a flat matted rib and original 2 3/4" chambers (as proofed) and still retain good wall thickness. 

Splinter forend with a Deeley catch and semi-pistol grip stock have flat top checkering with side panels and drop points and fleur de lis with fancy borders. 13 5/8" LOP over a thin horn butt plate. 

Gun remains in original its original configuration. The action retains traces of original color hardening and barrel black is original, but thinning. Stock also is original and its condition is consistent with the rest of the gun. 

This gun actually pre-dates the Traver's Model; that was a title used in the 1920's for guns with this action shape and engraving pattern but is rarely seen w/ a snap lever and Model "C" doll's head.This gun is also very early production to have the hinged cover plate. This gun is a joy to handle, is tight on face and has good barrels and its in just the right condition for hunting or collecting.  A gun that has the makings of a great grouse/woodcock gun that is also a very rare variation of a Westley Droplock.

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