Product Details
* WESTLEY RICHARDS, LONDON
AN UNUSUAL CASED PAIR OF 28-BORE PERCUSSION SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS, serial no's 667,
for 1855, with browned twist-steel octagonal 10in. barrels (smooth-bored at a later date) signed 'WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST LONDON' on the top-flat (one barrel with mild bruising to surface), dove-tailed blade fore-sights, standing mouse-ear rear-sights, colour hardened scroll engraved patent stepped breeches with twin platinum lines and platinum vents (one vent replaced), flat border-lined scroll engraved colour-hardened bar-action locks signed 'WESTLEY RICHARDS', sliding safes behind the hammers, scroll engraved hammers (one hammer spur cracked), walnut half-stock with chequered swept butts, swollen pommels with iron engraved butt-caps, rectangular clipped-corner silver escutcheons at the wrists, ebony fore-end tips carved in the image of sea-monsters, blued border and scroll engraved trigger-guard bows, pineapple finials, no provision for ramrods, both pistols retaining a good amount of original finish except where noted TOGETHER WITH their original mahogany storage case lined in green baize (bottom lining renewed), Westley Richards parchment trade label to inside of lid and including a number of period accessories including the original cleaning rod, nipple key, a shell design powder flask and a steel ball-mould, the two compartment lids cracked and repaired, and a brass clipped-corner escutcheon to case lid.
Provenance: The manufacturers have kindly confirmed that these pistols were made as a best quality pair in the 'duelling' style and were sold in July 1855 through their London agent William Bishop.
Estimate £5,000-7,000