A Stunning 36 Bore Westley Richards Patent Self-Cocking Revolver, Serial Number 319 for 1857.
A Stunning 36 Bore Westley Richards Patent Self-Cocking Revolver, Serial Number 319 for 1857.
With blued octagonal sighted barrel and top-strap, the former signed in full on the top flat and engraved with a band of foliage at the muzzle, blued serial numbered cylinder, case-hardened border and scroll engraved frame with sprung plunger hammer safety-stop on the left side, blued border and scroll engraved trigger-guard, blued Westley Richards patent rack and pinion rammer, chequered figured walnut spurred butt, and butt-cap with scroll engraved hinged trap-cover retaining large amounts of original blued finish, the remainder retaining much original blued finish, Birmingham proof marks, in dark oak fitted case lined in green baize with accessories including a revolver flask, oil bottle, turn-screw, and brass double-cavity bullet mould marked ‘WR 39’, the interior of the lid with trash label of ‘Westley Richards’, the exterior of the lid with shaped brass escutcheon.
Richards, William Westley & Westley (son) [1812-1872]
William Westley Richards was born in Birmingham, England in 1788 of a family of merchants and silversmiths. In 1812 he established a gunsmiths shop at 82 High Street, Birmingham, selecting his gunsmiths from the already thriving gun trade in Birmingham. His first production was high-grade flintlock fowling pieces. In 1813 he was an active petitioner in establishing the Birmingham Proof House through an act of Parliament.
He had the foresight to realise that he had to have a London outlet for his firearms, as the London market was by far the largest, and also for possible export trade to the Continent.
He chose the most fashionable quarter of London, a street made famous as the resort of the luxury class to which his guns appealed. The establishment was opened in 1815 at the then numbered 170 Bond Street.
A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York.
RICHARDS
William Westley Gunmaker, Birmingham from 1812. Retail shop (with William Bishop as agent) 170 New Bond Street.,1826-72; 25 Lawrence Pountney Street., 1853-5. Gunmaker to Prince Albert. Died 1865. Firm then run by son, Westley Richards.
Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA
Dimensions:
Bore: 36 Bore
Barrel Length: 6 Inches (15.20 cm)
Overall Length: 12 Inches (30.40 cm)
£10,500.00
