Ahhhh....
Love those Westleys!
The Westley Richards 1869 patent actually predates the Martini patent and both are more of an "improved Peabody"
W.R.'s patent being #1931 of 1868 and the Martini patent is #2305 of the same year. The "improved Martini" name has just stuck.
It is interesting that these rifles are so maligned based on how they look. I bet that they have accounted for many more game animals than Farquharsons have.
To me they just have that cool Victorian look to them. I love old pictures from the African frontier of men with their Westleys.
Every one of mine that I have got around to shooting perform very well and could surely take down any big game animal today up to elephant.
I don't think I have ever seen one with a scope, which is something I would like to have some day if I ever come up with good period glass. I guess the marksmen of the day just didn't need a telescopic sight!