CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 26/12/08 08:46 AM |
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Westley Richards .303 BLE
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The September Vintagers event was good to me, if not good to my pocketbook. I had the good fortune to come home with a super nice Westley Richards best quality boxlock ejector in .303 British.
Completed in 1901, it remains in excellent condition inside and out. Resting in its original oak and leather case it has been shielded from bumps and harsh conditions during the 107 years of its existence. And apart from that, it appears to have been little used. The bores are absolutely perfect, and the rifle locks up square on face.
Here, let me show it to you.
It's a fitting tribute to King Edward VII, as it was completed in the very first year of his reign.
He took the throne on January 22, 1901.
It was made with the signature features of a Westley Richards. First and foremost, it's an Anson & Deeley boxlock from the firm that invented that system in 1875 (Patent No. 1756).
It's chopper lump barrels are graced with the classic Westley Richards "Type C" third fastener, invented by Westley Richards himself in 1862 (Patent No. 2506).
The forend is attached by a Deeley Latch, and it's tipped with a buffalo horn wedge, so typical of a Westley Richards gun.
And the ejectors are of Deeley's design, not Southgate's.
Another interesting feature is the bolted safety with nice gold inlay.
Oh, but I haven't mentioned the flip-up aperture sight. Did you see it earlier?
That's why all the rear sights fold down. There are six of them - all the way to 600 yards! In this photo the 100 yard sight is standing, with the rest lying down.
As you have seen, the ribs are beautifully engraved with bold scroll.
So now you have seen it. Did I ever mention that I have a serious double rifle problem?
Curl
| JabaliHunter |
| (.400 member) |
| 26/12/08 09:28 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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A beauty! Or should I say another! Congratulations!
| Caprivi |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/12/08 09:35 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Oh' how I hate you.....in a good envious way. Beautiful gun and certainly enjoy it.
| sbs470 |
| (.333 member) |
| 26/12/08 10:15 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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A beautiful rifle with all the bells and wistles.Congratulations on yor new addition.I hope it shoots as good as it looks
Curl was seen at the Vintagers lurking around the Holland and Holland tent
good shooting
sbs470
| dons |
| (.333 member) |
| 26/12/08 10:32 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Absolute beauty, congrats. Hard to believe it's seen 107 yrs.
| WVFRED |
| (.300 member) |
| 26/12/08 10:53 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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All I can say is.......WOW!!!
| Anonymous |
| (Unregistered) |
| 26/12/08 11:01 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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I love Westleys, very nice!
| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 26/12/08 12:18 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Curl,
Another beautiful rifle to add to your impressive collection (obsession). However, as not to distract form this joyous moment; your digital photographic skills are fantastic. I love sinking into you photos, relishing the detail of the portrait the craftsman has painted in steel.
PS,
You need to update your website.
| dale |
| (.333 member) |
| 26/12/08 04:52 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Hello
Cpt. Curl, I'm Dale's wife and he was looking at these photos and just fell over in the floor and started making strange gurgling noises. The paramedics are on their way but I'll keep you posted. His Dad was here and said he'd be fine, he was just smothering to death over your rifle.
Charlene
| shinz |
| (.300 member) |
| 26/12/08 06:42 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Awe Heck Cpt Curl, you just know that you're being unfair don't you, the perfect photos of a perfect rifle I'd sell my first born for (nearly
), the informative yet condescending descriptions, its like our cat plays with a bird, no wonder I'm overcome with a feeling of hot slimey green envy.Thanks for sharing it with us. You know you're only borrowing it , don't you 
Steve
| peter |
| (removed) |
| 26/12/08 08:53 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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congratulations curl
another fine piece in your collection, i really like the engraving on this one. after all the problems with your shoulder you deserve a treat.
merry christmas
peter
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 27/12/08 01:21 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Fantastic!
I can't say much more...I love this gun!
jealousy ensues...
| WVTOM |
| (.224 member) |
| 27/12/08 11:23 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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ONE BEAUTY---Does it get any better than this??
| mickey |
| (.416 member) |
| 27/12/08 02:19 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Curl
What a Great rifle. What great pictures.
I think a .303 hunt is in order.
What kind of scope are you going to mount on it?
| gatsby |
| (.375 member) |
| 27/12/08 04:59 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Nice gun. If doubles are addicting, Westleys are the "crack cocaine" of their kind.
| Glenn_Fewless |
| (.300 member) |
| 27/12/08 06:17 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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I dunno... That tiger looks like a striped Collie dog to me.
Glenn
| Kapu |
| (.275 member) |
| 29/12/08 12:45 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Collie or tiger, at least the rest of the piece is what DR should be in every respect. Stunning Westley with superb engraving, congratulations Curl.
| rigbymauser |
| (.400 member) |
| 29/12/08 02:30 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Never thought I would have a desire for a double in .303...things changed very quickly with this post....
Thanks KaPu for sharing
....the price of .303 doubles has now gone up on the international market 
| pjaln |
| (.375 member) |
| 29/12/08 11:01 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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cptcurl, that is one of the nicest dbls ive ever seen, and i do love that caliber , i came close to buying a lancaster in 303 from pete harvey ,but we couldnt come to terms................. good luck with it ...paul..........
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 29/12/08 01:46 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Well thanks to everybody for your kind comments. I am humbled by them.
Steve (shinz) said it best when he said, "You know you're only borrowing it, don't you?"
The fact is, we do only borrow these fine firearms. I can take no credit for the fine workmanship, the inventive design, the style. I had no hand in any of it. I am only fortunate enough, or foolish enough, to have put down the money required to be the current caretaker. I can assure the world that this rifle will leave my hands, many years from now, in just as good condition as it has come into them. It is a rare find now, and by then it will be more so.
The highest compliment is from bonanza when he said, "However, as not to distract form this joyous moment; your digital photographic skills are fantastic. I love sinking into you photos, relishing the detail of the portrait the craftsman has painted in steel."
I take issue with his high assessment of my skills. I am way behind where I would like to be, and I have precious little equipment to work with. But I did spend persistent hours shooting these photos and weaving them into the thread. While I don't have the nice props of bird feathers, leather gloves, pipes and tobacco, etc.; my objective is to depict exactly what bonanza pointed out, "the detail of the portrait the craftsman has painted in steel."
As the current caretaker I feel a duty to share these images with others of like mind. That's why I have done so in the past, and that's why I do so now. There are many who share likewise, and I gain immense pleasure from your posts. I am working hard as a moderator of these photographic forums to store the images on the NE.com server, thus preserving them for years to come.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to these forums for providing the means for all of us to cast our eyes on beautiful pieces of art such as this. I am thankful to be a part of NE.com.
Curl
| Der_Jaeger |
| (.375 member) |
| 29/12/08 10:12 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Very well stated, CptCurl. I can add nothing more to what has already been said by others. It's a comfort to know that so many here on this forum are of like mind and, while debates may ensue, they are all aimed at the singular passion for the sporting life and all of it's wonderful regalia, impedimenta, essentials, and memorabilia.
| armbar |
| (.300 member) |
| 30/12/08 12:58 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Elegant pictures and words of a captivating rifle. It's absolutely beautiful! Let me add my congratulations. Let me also add that I am jealous!
Buy more so we can see them!
Armbar.
| alexbeer |
| (.333 member) |
| 31/12/08 12:47 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Hello Captain Curl,
Once again you have captivated us with your magnificent photos of a magnificent rifle. Thank you.
A great pleasure to see.
To all, all the very best for the New Year,
Alex
alexbeer.com
| mehulkamdar |
| (.416 member) |
| 03/01/09 02:29 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Gosh, Cpt Curl, what a beauty! What an exquisite treasure!
I am lost for words to describe this gun.
Congratulations and very, very good hunting. May 2009 bring many more treasures to your gunsafe!
| bonanza |
| (.400 member) |
| 04/01/09 01:18 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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mehul kamdar
You've been lurking on the site for some time. When are you going to join the DR club?
Blair
| mehulkamdar |
| (.416 member) |
| 04/01/09 10:38 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Blair,
As a semi-retired geriatric university student, my problem is that I live on a tap water budget while double rifles are premium champagne.
That is why I stick to the cheap stuff like bolt action rifles. Yes, I will buy a Baikal soon. Hopefully that would get me an entry into the lower end of the DR club. Until then, I am happy to openly drool (as opposed to lurking) over some of the magnificent treasures that many members here are generous in sharing pictures of.
I hope this explains where I stand.Thanks for the good wishes and very good hunting!
| Ron_Vella |
| (.333 member) |
| 06/01/09 12:37 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Roscoe,
The .303 double which I am currently building will not even be a shadow of this glorious "poem in steel and wood". Treat her well and love her 'til your dying day!
| vikram |
| (.300 member) |
| 06/01/09 05:29 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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It is easily one of the best double rifles I have seen.Congratulations.
Best-
Vikram
| ozhunter |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/01/09 07:00 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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I want its big 450NE brother!
| 88MauSporter |
| (.375 member) |
| 07/01/09 04:13 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Capt Curl, that one does it for me. I would not be able to ask for more.
Congrats.
| Checkman |
| (.333 member) |
| 07/02/09 09:49 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Beautiful. I find the .303 doubles to be fascinating.. Perhaps because I'm so fond of the .303 British. It's in amazing condition. Congratulations.
| Buchsemann |
| (.333 member) |
| 09/02/09 04:06 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Cpt Curl,
Wow! What and extraordinary find and stunning example of small bore English double, congratulations.
Talk about the little extras that make a piece exceptional. The engraving on the top rib, the cluster of rear sights out to 600 yards, the flip-up rear aperture, the safety lock, on and on. Nice, very nice!
Marcus
| Anonymous |
| (Unregistered) |
| 09/02/09 06:00 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Quote:
Talk about the little extras that make a piece exceptional. The engraving on the top rib, the cluster of rear sights out to 600 yards, the flip-up rear aperture, the safety lock, on and on. Nice, very nice!
Marcus
Its a cuite pie aint it.
All those features were standard on a best deluxe Westley boxlock ejector of that period. However, the chopperlump barrels were not, and were most likely a special order.
| Buchsemann |
| (.333 member) |
| 09/02/09 09:30 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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It’s a jaw dropping beauty alright. I hope Dale is upright and stabilized. From what his wife had said it sounded like he went into some kind of double rifle overload.
Marcus
| Anonymous |
| (Unregistered) |
| 26/07/09 04:16 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Sad I sold my Fauneta pair last month, best Westley drops are my favorites and this 303 is just brilliant
| gatsby |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/07/09 10:46 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Quote:
Sad I sold my Fauneta pair last month, best Westley drops are my favorites and this 303 is just brilliant
OHH no, not the Faunetas!
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 08/01/24 10:08 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Quote:
The September Vintagers event was good to me, if not good to my pocketbook. I had the good fortune to come home with a super nice Westley Richards best quality boxlock ejector in .303 British.
Completed in 1901, it remains in excellent condition inside and out. Resting in its original oak and leather case it has been shielded from bumps and harsh conditions during the 107 years of its existence. And apart from that, it appears to have been little used. The bores are absolutely perfect, and the rifle locks up square on face.
Here, let me show it to you.
It's a fitting tribute to King Edward VII, as it was completed in the very first year of his reign.
He took the throne on January 22, 1901.
It was made with the signature features of a Westley Richards. First and foremost, it's an Anson & Deeley boxlock from the firm that invented that system in 1875 (Patent No. 1756).
It's chopper lump barrels are graced with the classic Westley Richards "Type C" third fastener, invented by Westley Richards himself in 1862 (Patent No. 2506).
The forend is attached by a Deeley Latch, and it's tipped with a buffalo horn wedge, so typical of a Westley Richards gun.
And the ejectors are of Deeley's design, not Southgate's.
Another interesting feature is the bolted safety with nice gold inlay.
Oh, but I haven't mentioned the flip-up aperture sight. Did you see it earlier?
That's why all the rear sights fold down. There are six of them - all the way to 600 yards! In this photo the 100 yard sight is standing, with the rest lying down.
As you have seen, the ribs are beautifully engraved with bold scroll.
So now you have seen it. Did I ever mention that I have a serious double rifle problem?
Curl
We're just custodians of these wonderful old arms as Cap's is, as to the newer one it will outlast many generations if looked after just as well!
Yes you do have a VERY serious double obsession Curl!
Beautiful, just beautiful!
| DoubleD |
| (.400 member) |
| 09/01/24 02:13 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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I got confused a bit here, but at my age that is neither unusual or unexpected--I was trying figure out why a beautiful rifle like this traveled from the US to Australia. Then I noticed the quote.
But anyway being late to the party, I have a question for CPT Curl about his 16 year old post.
Cpt, you identify this gun a .303 British. This gun is marked for .303 Ammunition.
I have been in discussion with my friend Malcolm Cobb in Durbin about rifles so marked. He has a single shot WR 1897 marked for .303 ammunition. I have sporting Martini made for Rawbone, Capetown on a Greener sporting Martini Action also marked for .303 Ammunition.
Malcom's rifle is old worn metford rifle so true bore can not be determine. My rifle is 6 groove Enfield rifled and groove diameter is .303.
I wasn't aware of the the difference until I fired .303 British ammo in my gun. The first and second shots seemed just fine and extracted beautifully off onto the ground at the range. The third shot resulted in a puff of smoke coming out of the action and only head of case extracting.
Winfer has information on a Westley Richards .303 cartridge that measure .308 in the grooves. Checking my gun what I found, .303 groove, not .308 or .311. Ordered some .303 diameter bullets from Hawk and all was fine.
So I wonder is this wonderful looking double truly .303 British or is it perhaps WR .303 Special?
Cpt Curl?
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 09/01/24 03:56 PM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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I was thinking this was the model muzzles ...
But nothe muzzles calibre was a lot larger.
A Woodward (?) rifle I have some recollection of maybe, Curl?
| alby |
| (.224 member) |
| 12/01/24 11:31 AM |
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Re: Westley Richards .303 BLE
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Wow a stunning double rifle!! Magnificent.