Original British 12 Bore Double Barrel Factory Engraved Percussion Shotgun by William Richards – circa 1840 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a typical British-made Double Barreled Percussion shotgun, possibly intended for the large U.S. import market. It is marked on both lock plates with W RICHARDS, for William Richards of Birmingham England, who took out his patents for the percussion system in 1821. His full name was William Westley Richards, and he ran a BIRMINGHAM factory that became a national Institution before the end of the Victorian Era. The company Westley Richards still exists to this day as a high end outfitter of bespoke high end hunting gear, including shotguns and rifles.

When this shotgun was made, the company was still relatively small, and most weapons produced were a bit more on the utilitarian side. However, this example is definitely an upmarket version, featuring a lovely twist steel “Damascus” barrel, as well as wonderful factory engraving on virtually all of the fittings. The barrel strap still has a relatively clear marking on the top:

W RICHARDS LONDON

The barrel strap and both barrels have faded to a lovely plum patina, but both still show the lovely laminated spiral forging pattern on the exterior. This added strength to the steel, as well as adding a great look to the gun overall. The bottoms of each barrel bear the correct Birmingham proof marks, including the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks.

This very nice DOUBLE BARREL 12 bore Percussion Shotgun presents very nicely, with a lovely patina of age. The wrist of the stock is finely checkered for a better grip, and the walnut shows some fantastic grain, even with some “flame” figuring under the fore stock. The shotgun’s fittings are all of iron, with fantastic factory engraving. The locks are both fully functional, and correctly hold at half cock, firing at full. The cap nipple cones both look to be relatively recent replacements. The original ramrod is still present, complete with a ramming plug on one end, and looks to be made of a dark hardwood.

This is a great looking gun by a famous London maker, and would look perfect mounted on the wall. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1840
Caliber: 12 Bore / Gauge – about 0.730
Cartridge Type: Powder & Shot with Cap
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 42 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.

More on Westley Richards

Westley Richards is one of the oldest firearms manufacturers in England. Founded in Birmingham in 1812, the firm opened a shop in London two years later. Westley Richards is credited with being the first gunmaker to use a toplever fastening system for its breechloading sporting arms, having adopted this system as early as 1860. In 1875, William Anson and John Deeley, the firm’s foreman and its managing director, patented a boxlock action of their design. This action was strong, reliable, and simple, and it was also less expensive to produce than were sidelock actions.

Since its development, the Anson & Deeley action has been used worldwide by producers of hammerless side-by-side guns, and a few firms including Westley Richards also use this action on over-and-under guns. The Anson & Deeley action was improved in 1897 to permit easy removal of the locks. These “drop locks” have become a feature commonly associated with Westley Richards firearms, and were available on both shotguns and double rifles.

Other innovations from this gunmaker include a selective single trigger that is well-known for its reliability. This mechanism is extremely complicated, but nonetheless has established a reputation for its flawless performance. The Westley Richards single trigger has even been featured on double rifles, something which other manufacturers have generally not done. In 1884, John Deeley’s son patented an improved ejector based on the Anson & Deeley action. This ejector is still fitted to the company’s best guns.

Westley Richards also developed proprietary big-game cartridges such as their .450 Nitro caliber, the .476 NE, the .318 Rimless Nitro Express, and the rimless .425 Westley Richards Magnum. The company’s patented extractor made it possible to use these rimless cartridges in its double rifles as well as in bolt-action models. Westley Richards was one of many British firms that produced military arms during the Second World War, but the post-war years brought a collapse in the market for fine sporting arms. In 1946, the firm was purchased by E. D. Barclay, who turned to toolmaking in his efforts to keep Westley Richards afloat.