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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

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RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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P.S.

Does anybody know the patent date for the detachable barrel?

Curl

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P.S.

Does anybody know the patent date for the detachable barrel?

Curl

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The patent for the lugged detachable barrel (#9711) is from 1894.

Very nice rifle Curl!

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Thank you for the reference. You are correct. Here is the patent entry:



I had assumed the reference to "No. 9711" on the side of the receiver was a patent use number, but it refers to the patent itself.

Thanks to all for your kind comments on my new acquisition.

Curl

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RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Nice pick up! I didn't realise that auction was on! What other goodies/interesting bits were there?

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This one was there... soon to be here!









NICELY RESTORED EARLY WESTLEY RICHARDS MODEL 1881 MATCH RIFLE.SN 1059. Cal. .450 Westley Richards #2 (?). 32-1/4″ Heavy tapered round bbl with Rigby flat is marked “Metford’s Patent Rifling” on top behind island base with flip-up military type ladder sight. Front sight adjustable for windage, has interchangeable reticles. A sling eye is soldered to bottom of bbl. Unusual case hardened 1881 action has secondary cocking/ re-cocking lever mounted at rear of left side. “1882″ is marked in triangle on top of receiver ring. Action is engraved with 60% well cut scroll. Left side is engraved “Sole Manufacturers” “Westley Richards & Co” “London & Birmingham”. Right side is engraved “Deeley Edge Metford” “Patent Match Rifle”. Rear portion of tang is mounted with flip-up tang sight with elevation marks on left in spring loaded base. A similar base is at rear of stock, for back position shooting, and sight staff is interchangeable between the two. Lightly streaked and fiddle figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14″ over checkered wood butt with case hardened steel heel and toe plates. Point pattern checkering with double line border is at grip. A vacant silver oval and sling eye are on toe line. Matching forend mounts to bbl with captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2″, drop at comb: approx 2-1/4″. Weight: 9 lbs 9 oz. LOP: 14″. PROVENANCE: Richard Schreiber Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as refinished. Bbl retains nearly all of a sympathetic re-black over scattered light pitting. Action retains essentially all of a nicely colored re-hardening, engraving still sharp and clear. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish with some light subsequent marks, checkering re-cut. Bore is good, with some pitting at breech end, lightly pitted and frosted throughout. Action is smooth. This interesting rifle is pictured and described on p. 147-148 of BRITISH SINGLE SHOT RIFLES VOL 4, by Wal Winfer.


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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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P.S.

Does anybody know the patent date for the detachable barrel?

Curl

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The patent for the lugged detachable barrel (#9711) is from 1894.

Very nice rifle Curl!

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As usual one of our great members has the answers! Always impressed by our members knowledge and resources.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Nice pick up! I didn't realise that auction was on! What other goodies/interesting bits were there?

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This one was there... soon to be here!









NICELY RESTORED EARLY WESTLEY RICHARDS MODEL 1881 MATCH RIFLE.SN 1059. Cal. .450 Westley Richards #2 (?). 32-1/4″ Heavy tapered round bbl with Rigby flat is marked “Metford’s Patent Rifling” on top behind island base with flip-up military type ladder sight. Front sight adjustable for windage, has interchangeable reticles. A sling eye is soldered to bottom of bbl. Unusual case hardened 1881 action has secondary cocking/ re-cocking lever mounted at rear of left side. “1882″ is marked in triangle on top of receiver ring. Action is engraved with 60% well cut scroll. Left side is engraved “Sole Manufacturers” “Westley Richards & Co” “London & Birmingham”. Right side is engraved “Deeley Edge Metford” “Patent Match Rifle”. Rear portion of tang is mounted with flip-up tang sight with elevation marks on left in spring loaded base. A similar base is at rear of stock, for back position shooting, and sight staff is interchangeable between the two. Lightly streaked and fiddle figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14″ over checkered wood butt with case hardened steel heel and toe plates. Point pattern checkering with double line border is at grip. A vacant silver oval and sling eye are on toe line. Matching forend mounts to bbl with captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2″, drop at comb: approx 2-1/4″. Weight: 9 lbs 9 oz. LOP: 14″. PROVENANCE: Richard Schreiber Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as refinished. Bbl retains nearly all of a sympathetic re-black over scattered light pitting. Action retains essentially all of a nicely colored re-hardening, engraving still sharp and clear. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish with some light subsequent marks, checkering re-cut. Bore is good, with some pitting at breech end, lightly pitted and frosted throughout. Action is smooth. This interesting rifle is pictured and described on p. 147-148 of BRITISH SINGLE SHOT RIFLES VOL 4, by Wal Winfer.

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An congratulations to Huvius as well.

I hope both of you gentlemen will post up photos of your rifles when you have them in your hands. Lovely rifles.

A .303 and a .450.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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