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RARE Westley Richards HENRY PATENT Model 1871 FALLING BLOCK Rifle Antique NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIAN MILITARY CONTRACT
Guns International #: 102275402 Seller's Inventory #: 215429
Category: Military Rifles - British - Westley Richards Rifles
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: 1477
Total Number of Listings: 30004
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
RARE Westley Richards HENRY PATENT Model 1871 FALLING BLOCK Rifle Antique
NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIAN MILITARY CONTRACT
Here we present an antique New South Wales Australian Military Contract Westley Richards Arms & Ammunition Company Alexander Henry Patent Model 1871 Falling Block Military Rifle, made in Birmingham, England, in 1871. William Westley Richards established his prestigious company in 1812, at 22 years of age, at 82 High Street in Birmingham. His high-end London shop was established 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 grow the business with his own ideas and patents. It was he who was responsible for the design of the Monkey Tail Carbine in 1858.
Alexander Henry of Edinburg, Scotland, was one of the most famous British Gun Smiths of the 19th Century. He was responsible for the rifling in the British Martini Henry Infantry Rifle of 1871 and had various other patented designs. The Martini changed the world, especially as far as the British Empire was concerned. However, Alexander Henry's rifle was not adopted as the standard small arm of the British Army, and his own falling block rifle was too late for the massive government contracts. However, his followers still found markets for his Rifle throughout the Empire especially in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.
This original Henry's Patent single shot rifle features an external hammer on the left side so as not the interfere with the reloading using a "falling block" system activated by a lever directly under the trigger guard. The rifle is marked
“HENRY'S PATENT” on the left side of the frame, while the right side has the maker and date reading “W.R. A.&A. Co/1871”. National Arms and Ammunition Company Ltd. was a private company founded in the early-1870s by Westley Richards, mainly to produce the Martini-Henry rifle, and other Henry-Patent related items. They manufactured Martini-Henry rifles under contract to the British Government, as well as other firearms. It was relatively short lived, and operated various factories, many of which continued on their own after the company was broken up.
This is a very scarce rifle, showing the excellent Henry Rifling in the barrel. There are British Birmingham proof marks on the barrel. The right side of the butt stock has N.S.W. / DV 71, indicating that this rifle was issued in New South Wales Australia, which at that time was still a Penal Colony. It was most likely issued to guards.
The overall condition is very good. Gray patina throughout. Excellent action. Fine bore: bright with sharp rifling. The stock shows wear and remains in great shape. A very rare British/Australian martial rifle!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 33-1/4 inches.
Caliber: .577-450
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$3565
#215429
SOLD
Antique: Yes