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An exceptional Westley Richards & Co. 12g Best Quality Hammerless Gun with Hand Detachable Locks completed in the mid-1950's.

Based on W.R.&Co.'s iconic scroll back action with all of Westley's upgrades...Doll's Head extension, Snap Lever work, Reliable One Trigger, and of course, Hand Detachable Locks and a manual "Beetle Back" safety. In addition, the gun was ordered with an extra set of locks.

The action body, cover plate, and furniture have House pattern engraving with the Maker’s name in flowing banners and inlaid in gold along with the Maker’s name and “Patent One Trigger” inlaid in gold on top lever. 

Highly figured walnut stock with full pistol grip with Monte Carlo beaded cheekpiece and leather covered pad. Original stock shield with the original initials: JJK.

The gun was ordered with 28" dovetail-lump barrels with a raised hand-filed rib, single brass bead, original 3" chambers (as proofed in B'ham ca. 1954-1989), and choked .040" in each muzzle. The gun was also ordered with provisions for a sling and includes the original handmade sling swivels on the stock toe line and mounted to the bottom rib of the barrels.

The gun was also ordered with a full pistol grip, Monte Carlo cheekpiece (a standard offering by W.R.&Co. during this era) and a Beavertail forend with Deeley forend latch. The gun has a 14 1/4" LOP over a leather covered pad. 

The gun weighs 8 lbs. 4.0 oz. and is complete in its original Maker’s Oak & Leather case with canvas cover and includes the ebony two-piece cleaning rod, ebony handle chamber brush and turn screw, and nickel plated snap caps and oil pot. Four other nickel plated jars included are individually engraved: “Linseed”, “Preservative”, “Lubricant”, and “Solvent”. All accoutrements have the W.R.&Co. name on their caps. Additionally, the original leather sling is included and made from the same leather as the straps on the case. All items neatly compartmentalized in the case. 

This gun was completed around 1954 for Lt. John J. King, born in 1913 and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 5 October 1944 at Campo di Venino, Italy.

The initials "J.J.K." are engraved on the stock oval, the brass disk on the leather case, and the leather patch on the canvas cover. 

The Gun and case remain in their original, “AS NEW” condition. 

Featuring virtually every option W.R.&Co. offered on a gun in the mid-1950's, this gun remains one of the finest examples of a Westley Richards & Co. droplock shotgun produced in this era. 

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