Product Details
WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE .22LR WESTLEY RICHARDS 1897 PATENT TAKE-DOWN FALLING BLOCK RIFLE, serial no. 2165,
27in. nitro reproved lined ovoid barrel, matt top-flat with the Westley Richards triangle, single folding leaf sight for 100 yards inset with silver-inlaid triangular sighting detail and matted ramp-mounted silver-tip blade foresight, the sides of the barrel engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO. LONDON. FOR .220 LONG RIFLE CARTRIDGE' and 'W.R. DETACHABLE BARREL', miniature action with cranked underlever, manual tang safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, numbered 217, bold acanthus scroll engraving, the left side of the action with the triangle and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO. LONDON.', retaining very slight traces of original finish, 13 3/4in. figured pistolgrip stock with sling eyes, bolstered fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch and horn finial
Provenance: In 'British Single Shot Rifles Volume 4 - Westley Richards' by Wal Winfer, this rifle appears in the appendix listing known surviving single shot rifles by Westley Richards. It is listed as an 1897 action, but the calibre was unknown at the time of publication. No other example of a .220 Long Cartridge is mentioned. In the chapter dealing with 1897 patent action rook rifles, it is listed as being one of just seven examples known to exist.
In his summary of the rifle type, the author states "We have to say that we consider the 1897 Westley Richards one of the best underlever falling block rifles the British produced"
Estimate £3,500-4,500
S1