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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns

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Waidmannsheil
.400 member

Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2438
Loc: Melbourne Australia

A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR
#385040 - 31/05/24 04:07 PM

https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplora/a-new-1897-westley-richards-falling-block-rifle/

Matt.

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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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Hoot
.275 member

Reged: 25/01/17
Posts: 93
Loc: MN

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Waidmannsheil]
#385042 - 31/05/24 09:40 PM

"WOW" is all I've got....just wow.

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Kdgj
.224 member

Reged: 11/03/19
Posts: 15
Loc: CO

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Hoot]
#385043 - 31/05/24 11:27 PM

WR sneaks a falling block through the shop now and then. This is a Rigby 450 they redid back in 2019.

https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplora/rigby-refurbishment/

Ken

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26906
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Kdgj]
#385044 - 01/06/24 12:23 AM

It's beautiful
The nit-picker in me does not like the poorly styled tails on the lock panels. This is a styling trait left over from the flintlock era & they should be longer & finer to look right.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful rifle indeed.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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3DogMike
.400 member

Reged: 29/01/15
Posts: 1462
Loc: Western Slope, Colorado USA

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: DarylS]
#385045 - 01/06/24 12:40 AM

Lovely rifle!
However; good grief……that inflamed carbuncle of a scope on that fine sleek rifle. (yes, I know it is current fashion)
Sure, mount it and hunt with it if you like, but tuck the scope away in the case where it will not be seen if you are doing glamour pictures.

Just my 2¢ worth,
- Mike

--------------------
"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields

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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1019
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 3DogMike]
#385046 - 01/06/24 01:23 AM

That is a beautiful rifle for a gun room but not a gun to take out hunting. I like hunting with nicely engraved, vintage rifle but this WR seems somewhat "over the top".

--------------------
RB

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Huvius
.416 member

Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3551
Loc: Colorado

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 85lc]
#385048 - 01/06/24 05:08 AM

It sounds like they monoblocked the barrel rather than turning a new barrel with the lugs.
I find it a bit odd if that was the route taken.

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

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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1019
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Huvius]
#385049 - 01/06/24 05:41 AM

Huvius,

I think you are correct. WR says "A new barrel was carefully designed and fitted to the original breech section. New leaf and ramp sights were made and fitted, along with mounts to receive a quick-detach 'scope."

I am not sure why they dodn't take a new barrel and cut the two lugs on the new barrel. Because this rifle is a takedown, they could have also done a second barrel in say 9.3x74R or even 9x65R (basically a 35 Whelen rimmed)

--------------------
RB

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Huvius
.416 member

Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3551
Loc: Colorado

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 85lc]
#385051 - 01/06/24 12:12 PM

Or, if they did make a new barrel, the original, assuming the bore was bad, could have been rebored to something like the 9X65R or similar keeping the common rim cut in the extractor.
It would be great to have a ‘97 takedown with two or more barrels as a light to medium game package.

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

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Marrakai
.416 member

Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3575
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Huvius]
#385052 - 01/06/24 05:55 PM

That WR is certainly very nice, that mob know what they're doing alright.
...although I would have preferred to retain the original .303 chambering, sighted for the 215gr bullet,
were it commissioned by me.

And yes! The scope is a monster.
Unlike a carbuncle though, you could remove it to sell, and buy something a little more elegant and austere,
with a bit left over for a nice bottle of whiskey!

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39768
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 85lc]
#385054 - 02/06/24 12:17 AM

Quote:

That is a beautiful rifle for a gun room but not a gun to take out hunting. I like hunting with nicely engraved, vintage rifle but this WR seems somewhat "over the top".

I'm a bit of a dissenter. A great work of gun art indeed. Wonderful to hang on the gun room wall to show to and impress one's mega millionaire friends. I doubt it will see many hunting fields. High seats maybe, a reason for that scope. Maybe a genteel Scots stag hunt.

A great work of gun maker art like Westley Richards is so capable of doing.

As I get older I prefer plainer functional but still nice walnut. Not over trained. That's for a piano or a coffee table. Colour case gardening. Simple engraving or traditional. I do like those elaborate real like scenes.

7x65R is a useful modern medium cartridge. I'd go for a .300 H&H Flanged.

Quote:

An original Westley Richards falling block rifle has been used as the basis for this new-build European big game rifle in 7x65R. Re-purposing good examples of vintage actions to create new custom rifles was commonplace in the British gun trade until quite recently.

Good. If they can "re-purpose" old good faithful examples, I can re-"purpose" my historical Dutch East Indies military 1893 Steyr in 6.5x53R.

--------------------
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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93x64mm
.416 member

Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4164
Loc: Nth QLD Australia

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: NitroX]
#385074 - 02/06/24 09:30 PM

Magnificent work!!!!
Wow that is something to behold!

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Rule303
.450 member

Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5035
Loc: Woodford Qld

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 93x64mm]
#385087 - 03/06/24 07:07 AM

Very impressive. If I had the money one of those in 350 Rigby would be the go, but with plainer timber, dark like that if possible, not shiny and no cheek piece.

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lancaster
.470 member

Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 8973
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: DarylS]
#385100 - 04/06/24 04:59 AM

7x65R is funny, in the fatherland nobody want it anymore. all becoming gay now and wish to have a 6,5 creedmore and who knows ... one day I will buy one also.

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1019
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: lancaster]
#385103 - 04/06/24 06:52 AM

I have a drilling in 7x65r and a bolt gun in its "sister" 7x64. They are about the same as a 280 Remington. They are not 1000 yd cartridges but, I don't hunt at 1000 yds. The 7x64 does well on targets at 600 yds.

All that being said, the 7x65r is a good cartridge for a singleshot or double rifle. However, it isn't a Brit cartridge and it seems like WR could have used a flanged Brit cartridge. But, that is my 2 cents (and 2 cents won't get a cup of coffee)

--------------------
RB

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26906
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: Rule303]
#385104 - 04/06/24 07:16 AM

Quote:

Very impressive. If I had the money one of those in 350 Rigby would be the go, but with plainer timber, dark like that if possible, not shiny and no cheek piece.

That would be a worthwhile rifle, Rule303.
I could also "see" it in .276 Rigby.(I think)

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39768
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: lancaster]
#385111 - 04/06/24 02:46 PM

Quote:

7x65R is funny, in the fatherland nobody want it anymore. all becoming gay now and wish to have a 6,5 creedmore and who knows ... one day I will buy one also.

My friend, please no !!!

It would be akin to cutting off a useful live leg to replace it with a plastic floppy boneless artificial leg. At least a 6.5x55 Swedish would have some style.

And imagine if a brain-dead person with too much money put a 6.5 Crymore into a rifle such as in this thread ... I hope WR would slam the doors into that person's face.

--------------------
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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85lc
.400 member

Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1019
Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: NitroX]
#385121 - 05/06/24 06:20 AM

John,
Good point. The 6,5x53.5R was adopted by the Brits. I have seen pictures of several British SS rifles in that caliber.

--------------------
RB

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39768
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 85lc]
#385129 - 05/06/24 07:10 PM

Quote:

John,
Good point. The 6,5x53.5R was adopted by the Brits. I have seen pictures of several British SS rifles in that caliber.

My comment was left field. I am highlighting WRs comment they take "good examples" of historical rifles to then modify and in my words greatly over embellish destroying the original provenance of a "good example of a historical rifle". Why not make a new rifle from scratch?

My left field comment s that I purchased a Dutch Steyr military bolt action in 6.5x53R to customise. On the forums it was commented that it was probably in too good original condition. Well WR would cover it with excessive engraving ad restock it with piano wurled grained heavy walnut. Then so can I.

Military rifle collectors don't worry, I'll almost certainly never get to the customisation. I'd spend the money on a safari or a DR in .375 Flanged anyday first. I don't need another useless expensive safe queen.

--------------------
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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Waidmannsheil
.400 member

Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2438
Loc: Melbourne Australia

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: NitroX]
#385148 - 06/06/24 10:39 AM

Personally I would also choose a British cartridge however in this case it was the customers choice, not Westley Richards.

I also agree with the scope comments, a real monstrosity on top of a beautiful rifle, certainly not in proportion.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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Waidmannsheil
.400 member

Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2438
Loc: Melbourne Australia

Re: A Magnificent Single Shot Falling Block by WR [Re: 85lc]
#385149 - 06/06/24 10:49 AM

The 6.5x53R (AKA 256 Mannlicher) was quite widely used in SS Falling Block rifles although it is rare to find examples remaining today, as most have been re-bored to something a little bigger as the 256 Mannlicher case was one of the first smokeless powder rounds, and used corrosive primers so the original bore was cactus, the usual story.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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