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LOT 390
Very Fine Cased Westley
Richards Double Barrel
Percussion Shotgun - Serial
no. 5574, 16 gauge, 29 1/2
inch solid rib bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish,
walnut stock. This exceptional
cased Westley Richards side by
side shotgun was manufactured
circa 1880 per the data
provided on page 127 of Nigel
Brown’s “British Gunmakers
Volume One: London.” The
browned Damascus barrels
have a bead front sight and
“WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW
BOND ST LONDON.” on the
concave rib. The locks are also
signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS.”
The breech plugs have large,
vented nipples and slotted
platinum plugs. The locks and furniture have scroll and floral engraving. The wedge and initial escutcheons are plain nickel-silver. The stock has a checkered wrist, and a 14 1/4 inch length of pull. The fitted brass cornered mahogany case is lined in green baize and has a Westley Richards label inside the lid and a variety of loading and maintenance accessories. A July 5, 1966, invoice from Westley Richards & Co. Ltd. to Norman Blank for the shotgun is included.
CONDITION: Very fine overall and in near “as new” original condition with mostly only light handling and storage type marks. The only notable wear is a patch of fresh scratches on the right barrel and slight fading at the heel and toe. The engraving, markings, and stock checkering are crisp. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine with mild age and storage related wear. Overall a stunning 150 year old time capsule.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,500
299