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WESTLEY RICHARDS MODEL 1881 PATENT SIDE LEVER FALLING BLOCK RIFLE WITH DETACHABLE BARREL.
SN 25134. Cal. .303 British. 27-1/2" Tapered round bbl is marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO LONDON” on top. Right rear is marked “PATENT DETACHABLE BARREL 91;. Left rear is marked “FOR W. R 303 SPECIAL CARTRIDGE”. Bbl boss is stamped with SN, and triangle with point toward action, denoting a detachable bbl. Bottom of bbl is stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs, SN, and assembly no. "262";, which is also on breech face of action. Bbl is fitted with island base with integral one standing, four folding leaf express sight with folding ladder sight for ranges out to 1400 yards. Oval island front base holds silver bead. Blued 1881 action is marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO” and “LONDON” on left, and with detachable bbl info on right. Sliding safety is on right side above trigger. Relatively plain, but dense, European walnut steel capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over steel buttplate with trap. Standard point pattern checkering is at grip. Vacant silver oval as well as a sling eye, a bit smaller in diameter than that attached to bottom of bbl, is on toe line. Matching forend with horn tip is fitted with early type heavy takedown iron, and Deeley release. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8", drop at comb: approx 1-15/16". Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". PROVENANCE: Richard Schreiber Collection. Consignors notes and photographs of this rifle. CONDITION: Excellent, as refinished. Bbl and action retain nearly all of a sympathetic rust re-blue, with side lever and trigger group correctly bright blued. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish with some light marks, checkering cleaned up. Bore is exceptionally fine with sharp rifling throughout. Action is smooth. These side lever Westley Richards rifles are relatively scarce.

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I know it doesn't have as many barrels as I normally require on a rifle; but I must confess, I have lusted for a nice Deeley & Edge single shot rifle for many years.

Lastly, here is a scan of the action patent:






In-hand impressions and range report to follow! Can't wait to see how it does at 1,400 yards!!!

Curl