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WESTLEY RICHARDS BEST ANSON DEELEY BOXLOCK GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND ORIGINAL CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
WESTLEY RICHARDS BEST ANSON DEELEY BOXLOCK GAME GUN WITH TWO SETS OF BARRELS AND ORIGINAL CASE.
Please Note (3/8/13): This is not a modern gun. SN 13578. (ca 1882) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. 30" Damascus bbls have one set choked modified and IC, the other full and full. Both sets of bbls are engraved "Westley Richards. 170. New Bond St. London." on concave game ribs. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs. Each bbl is stamped "Not for Ball" except cylinder bbl. Open choke bbls are numbered to gun, full choke bbls are numbered "13867". It was Westley Richards policy to assign a new SN for each set of bbls. Undoubtedly these two sets, although not consecutive, were made at the same time. Case hardened boxlock action is stamped "Anson & Deeley's Patent" and with use number "4149" on water table. Action features automatic safety and double triggers. Locking is accomplished with only Westley Richards patent top bolt, and dolls head extension, as found only on early Anson Deeley actions. It was later combined with Purdey's double under-bolt. Action is engraved with nearly full coverage tight small scroll. "Westley Richards" is in scroll terminated ribands on each side. Trigger guard is engraved with pointer and birds on bow, and with scroll and SN on tang. Well streaked and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over checkered wood butt with steel heel and toe plates. Side panels are checkered and have tear-shaped drop points. Flat top grip checkering is of point pattern with mullered borders. A silver circle on toe line is engraved with sovereigns crown held aloft in a fist over initials "W. St. L. R". (Top of case is embossed "W. St. L. Robertson"). Matching splinter forend has horn tip and Deeley release. Open choke bbls: Bore diameter: left-.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.025 (Mod), right -.000 (Cyl). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.031. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Full choke bbls: Bore diameter: left-.734, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.037, right -.035. Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.029. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Makers original oak and leather case with brass corners and sliding brass secondary locks, is lined in green baize with three labels on lid. One has instructions for cleaning, another instructions for using, and the third central label is normal Westley Richards trade label with Prince of Wales plume. Case is partitioned for both bbl sets and contains 3-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod, brass and ebony James Dixon 12 bore chamber brush, and a 12 ga Tomlinson bore cleaner in orig box. CONDITION: Fine, original as found. Bbls retain 60 - 90% orig brown. Open choke bbls show the most wear and use. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color, mostly in protected areas, and is mostly a gray to brown. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish with numerous handling marks and light scratches. Checkering is slightly worn. Bores are fine. Open choke bbls have considerable scattered pitting. Full choke bbls have a few pits in right bbl toward breech. Action is tight. Open choke bbls have a hint of looseness. Full choke bbls are on face, Open choke bbls are slightly off face. Case leather is dark, stained, and rubbed. Handle is missing. Replaced straps are good. Interior cloth is considerably soiled and marked from contact with bbls and gun, and has a bit of dust and mold. Labels are oil soaked, and dark brown, with some rubs. Accessories are very fine. A nice handling old gun. A brief Google search shows most probable original owner was a member of the Oxford rowing team, who most likely emigrated to Australia in the 1880's. 4-48144 MGM158