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WESTLEY RICHARDS London best British hammer Damascus 12 gauge Guns International #: 101071382 Seller's Inventory #: Category: Shotguns - English Double Antique - Antique Shotguns - Cartridge Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: brandonhal Company: Member Since: 2/23/14 First Name: Brandon Last Name: Halstead State: State not Found Zip: 09468 Country: United Kingdom Phone: Fax: Number of Active Listings: 4 Total Number of Listings: 29 Seller: Private Seller Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: paypal; certified bank check Description: WESTLEY RICHARDS London best British hammer Damascus 12g This classic English double hammer gun by Westley Richards, circa 1864, serial number 112xx, was professionally converted from pinfire to centerfire and is in fantastic condition. Starting with the 26” Damascus barrels, they have a bold brown color and twist to the pattern, are the original barrel length with the site bead on the end, and are engraved “PATENT. WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170 NEW BOND ST. LONDON.” on the rib. As with many hand-made British Damascus steel barrels, they retain a strong barrel thickness of 30,000th and 28,000th and are bored approximately true cylinder in both, with spotless mirror interiors. Barrel markings indicate re-proved for British Nitro Proof by the London proof house and are stamped as suitable for 1 & 1/8-oz. loads, and chambered at 2 & ½”. As Terry Wieland highlights in his book “Vintage British Shotguns,” he states “If you buy an English gun with Damascus barrels and the proof marks show it has been nitro proofed – that is, proven with smokeless powder – you know it’s safe to shoot with loads of the length and gauge marked.” Toplever bar-in-wood action incorporates Westley Richards’ improved single-bite toplever snap-action, patent number 2623 & use number 1153 (of 22 October 1864) (engraved on breech face by firing pins – see photo). Carved serpentine fences include conversion from pinfire appropriate to the period, and non-rebounding sidelocks with dolphin hammers of pinfire form. Nicely engraved bold acanthus scrollwork and blued finish with maker’s name “WESTLEY RICHARDS” on the sidelocks and on the toplever, with similar engraving on the hammers, and on the trigger guard with serial number. The fore-end with horn tip is sharply checkered with a cross-sliding release and meets at the knuckle in a crab joint, while the 14 inch well-figured stock is also well checkered at the hand and includes a steel buttplate and brass oval above the toe ready for engraving. Weight is 6lb. 7oz. The London markings for this shotgun are also somewhat rare, as most of Westley Richards’ production was in Birmingham at the 82 High Street location. Noted British gun specialist Jack Rowe offered the following observation: “So what can one say about Westley Richards? Their guns and double rifles, of whatever grade, are universally well made.” With the growing popularity of wildfowling using traditional hammer guns, this is a great combination of beauty and function without breaking the bank. Ready for your next century of shooting! I have found almost no noteworthy cosmetic blemishes on the gun, other than a few handling marks and patina as expected on a 150+ year old antique. This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a military family stationed in the UK, and ship via US Postal Service at an insured, registered and flat rate of $60, which usually takes about a week to arrive in the US. Member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. Very near offers considered.  Thanks for your interest. Key words: England English Britain British UK hammergun side by side sxs 12 gauge ga shotgun SOLD Antique: Yes Manufacturer: Westley Richards Bore: 12 Chambers: 2.5 Condition: excellent Metal Condition: excellent Wood Condition: well figured Bore Condition: excellent Barrels: 26 Barrel Type: Damascus Action: sidelock hammer Triggers: double Gauge Info: 12 Stock Dimensions: 14 Rib: game Weight: 6 lbs. 7 oz. Manufacture Date: 1864 Choke Left: cylinder Choke Right: cylinder Engraving: acanthus scroll Item Location: APO, AE Proof:Nitro: British Nitro Proof Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 28,000 Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 30,000