Original British 4 Bore Big Game Percussion Rifle by W. Richards Circa 1855 – HUGE 1 Inch Bore – As Seen on History Channel Pawn Stars Original Items

This very British 4 Bore Big Game Hunting Rifle was featured and test fired on an episode of History Channel’s Pawn Stars in October 2022. You can watch it on the clip below:

Original Item: One of a Kind. Four bore or 4 bore is an almost obsolete black powder caliber of the 19th century, used for the hunting of large and potentially dangerous game animals. The specifications place this caliber between the larger two bore and the lesser six bore. This caliber was the quintessential elephant gun caliber of the black powder safari rifles used during the early Victorian era.

The name, derived from an old English practice of bore measurements in gun-making which refers to a nominally 4-gauge bore, that is, a bore diameter that would accommodate a pure lead round ball weighing 1⁄4 of a pound. This would imply a bore diameter of 1.052-inch (26.7 mm), however, commonly, 4 bores were closer to 0.935–0.955 inch calibre. This caliber was used heavily by the European hunters, notably the British and Dutch Boers, in tropical climates of Africa and India.

Meant to be used with black powder due to its size, it was unpopular due to the problem of thick smoke and a powerful recoil, which could potentially break the arm or shoulder of the shooter. Notable hunters that used the rifles included Sir Samuel White Baker and Frederick Selous, who used it consistently in his career as an ivory hunter of African elephants between 1874 and 1876 until the advent of the lighter, more accurate and less cumbersome Nitro Express calibers and cordite propellant.

Although a weapon of immense power, the four bore was far less effective than its Nitro Express successors because of the low penetration of its projectiles and its immense recoil. The huge lead slugs fired by the gun were sometimes capable of stunning a charging African elephant to stop it on its tracks, or turn its charge (causing it to change direction to avoid the hunter) but it was generally unable to kill the creature outright with a frontal brain shot. Chest and broadside shots were effective killers, as was the side shot on brain where the skull is thinner on elephants, however once again this did not help for instantly stopping an enraged elephant charging the hunter. On the other dangerous game species such as the Indian elephant, buffalo species and Rhino it was considered an excellent killer.

This is a fantastic example of one of these massive bore big game hunting rifles, marked on the lock plate W. RICHARDS, which one might automatically assume refers to “Westley Richards”. However at this time in history, it would have been “Westley Richards & Co.”, so it is thought to refer to William Richards, a relative who was an accomplished gunmaker, specializing in custom guns in London, such as this example. It features some lovely engraving on the lock, hammer, side plate, barrel tang, as well as the breech plug. It also features a fantastic “spiral forged” or “Damascus” barrel, which still shows the spiral pattern clearly. It is marked A2295 on the right barrel facet and PAS 6247 on the top of the barrel, markings that we do not understand the meaning of.

The stock is in really fantastic shape, however close examination of the checkering on the wrist shows that the gun was definitely restocked at some point, and most likely had the metalwork refurbished at the same time The stock is lovely, with some lovely curl to the walnut, and it is fitted with what looks to be an ebony wood nose cap on the half stock. The case hardening on the fittings looks to have been refreshed a bit, as was the finish on the barrel. This was definitely a professional level refurbishment.

The barrel wedge can be removed somewhat easily, and the barrel bears the correct Birmingham proof marks of the period, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks. There is also a partial CROWN / BP blackpowder proof that was introduced in 1855, so this was made during that period. Between two of the proof marks is the number 4, indicating the massive bore size. The breech plug has an additional Birmingham “Viewed” marking on the bottom. The top of the barrel is fitted with a three leaf sight, which is currently seized. We did check the bore, and there is rifling present, however it does show wear and past fouling, so this is a gun that actually saw some real use!

As with most high end bespoke hunting rifles, this example is fitted with a “set trigger”, where depressing the rear trigger first until it clicks and just touching the front trigger discharges the weapon, hopefully with great accuracy. It is fully functional at present, and the rear trigger must be “set” prior to firing the lock. It does have a half cock position, however even with the rear trigger set it will not fire from the front trigger until it is fully cocked.

Condition of this rifle is just great, and it would make a fantastic addition to any collection. You are unlikely to see a percussion rifle with such a huge bore anytime soon, especially with such a great look. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1855
Caliber: 4 Bore / Gauge – about 1.052
Cartridge Type: Powder & Ball with Cap
Barrel Length: 24 ¾ Inches
Overall Length: 41 ⅜ Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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