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FINE & EARLY Antique Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine with 1860 Date
Guns International #: 100807077 Seller's Inventory #: 10316
Category: Antique Rifles - Cartridge - Military Rifles - Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1485
Total Number of Listings: 30139
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
Fine Antique Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine
Rare Favorite of Boers during War, Early 1860 Date
Here we present an antique Westley Richards Monkey Tail Breech-Loading Percussion Carbine, made in 1860 in Birmingham, England. Westley Richards & Co. still make world class firearms to this day, over 200 years. William Westley Richards established his prestigious company in 1812, only yet 22 years of age, at 82 High Street in Birmingham. He established his high end London shop in 1815 at 170 New Bond Street. William’s son, Westley Richards, joined his father in business at the age of 26 and continued to prosper the business with his own ideas and patents. It was he who was responsible for the design of the aforementioned Monkey Tail Carbine in 1858. The source of its being called a “Monkey Tail” is the shape of the small knob on the loading lever.
The carbine was an early pioneer in the use of polygonal rifling and utilized an ingenious caplock, breech-loading system. The rifling is what the “Whitworth’s Patent” marking on the barrel refers to, though it seems at this time the marking was a friendly attribution to Joseph Whitworth and not required by law. Both Richards and Whitworth appear to have worked simultaneously, if not somewhat together, on improving rifling technology. The rifling in these guns is octagonal, whereas Whitworth’s was hexagonal. Nevertheless, Richards seems to have wanted to give Whitworth the credit. As for the breech-loading system, the top lever hinges up, allowing the shooter to load the cartridge, just like some other designs of the time. However, upon closing the lever, the brass piston inside was mobile and when a cartridge was ignited, the gas pressure would push the piston back, locking the breech closed while chamber pressure was high.
Richards’s carbines and rifles were met with great interest from the British military, which did lead to extensive testing and even a sizeable contract, but it was not adopted as a primary arm. Nevertheless, about 27,000 were issued in the British Army and about 4,000 to volunteer and colonial forces. British ally, Portugal, also ordered 11,000, and Westley Richards & Co. sold many (about 21,000) to South Africa in the 1870s and 80s, prior to complete deterioration in relations between the Boers and Britain. These were the guns that Boer children grew up shooting and it has been said that the proof test of marksmanship was hitting a chicken’s egg at 100 yards with a Monkey Tail. The carbine’s short overall length made it extremely handy on horseback or foot, and in thick vegetation. Though considered quite obsolete at the time of the Boer War in 1881, this is how many of the Boer fighters were armed when they defeated the British and gained their independence. At Majuba, 500 Boers, mostly armed with the Richards, defeated 647 British soldier, who were armed with the more modern Martini Henry rifle. In fact, more modern metallic cartridges could have proved a hindrance to them as ammunition availability was scarce. The old Monkey Tail was actually advantageous, since it used paper cartridges. Powder, paper, ball and primers were easily obtained in remote Africa and the ‘tail could be muzzle loaded if paper was not handy.
There are many different iterations as the production spanned from 1858 to 1873, and this is one of the earliest given its 1860 date and the .4505 caliber. This is one of those initially ordered and field tested by the British army.
This specimen is marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS/PATENT” on the top of the breech cover. The lock is marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co/1860”, making this a very early gun. The barrel, just in front of the rear sight is marked “WHITWORTH’S PATENT”. The serial number “210” is found behind the trigger guard on the stock, on the breech cover, as well as on the barrel. The Roman numeral “VIII” is the assembly number and is found in the ramrod channel. The front of the ramrod is marked “1/E/5”, likely for regiment, group and rack number. The rearmost section of round barrel is marked with the caliber “.4505”. The top of the flat part of the breech is marked “.480” for the groove depth. The numbers “52” appear twice amidst the triple view proof, certifying that it measured 52 bore. A maker’s mark is visible just forward of the hinge for the breech cover.
The overall condition of this carbine is fine. The barrel has turned a pleasing plum brown patina. The rest of the iron parts are smooth with a dark gray patina and vestiges of the case colors remaining. All markings are clear and legible. The stock shows signs of light use, but is in fine condition and maintains a mostly smooth and glossy finish. The marks in the wood remain clear and legible. The nipple is in good condition and appears original. The bore is very good and shiny. The action is excellent. It is unlikely that you will find a better one.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 20 inches in length.
Caliber: .4505 (52 bore; .480 groove depth)
Bore is in very good condition and shiny. The firing mechanism is excellent.
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Here is a rare specimen of British firearms history that would be very hard to improve upon.
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ancestryguns
$3000
#10316
SOLD
Antique: Yes