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buckstix
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Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
      #268349 - 22/07/15 09:57 PM

Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle

Hello All,

I had been searching high and low for a Daniel Fraser Falling Block Single Shot Rifle - with little success. When along the way I came across this unique Westley Richards Single Shot Rifle that I just couldn't pass-up.

It was built on a Field's Patent action in January of 1882 in 500/450 1-1/2" case. (aka No.1 WR Carbine)

I was somewhat surprised by the similarity of this action to that of a Winchester Hi-Wall. Lever underneath on the Winchester, vs lever at the side on the Field's. Interestingly, the Field's action was patented in 1877, a year before John Browning designed his Single Shot Hi-Wall. I wonder if John Browning may have been influenced by the Field's action and only modified its design, rather than inventing his own action.

Specs for this rifle are: 25" Full Octagon Barrel with ramrod underneath - 8 pounds 1 oz - 14" LOP - Ivory Diamond Inlays ea. side - 1 standing + 4 Folding Leaf Express + Ladder Sight - Right Hand Push Forward Side Lever - Scroll Engraved Receiver - Steel Engraved Butt Plate w/ Trap. (there is evidence of a vintage stock repair, but it is minor and well done, and it can only be seen in bright sunlight)

I have had conversations about this rifle with Wal Winfer ("Westley Richards Single Shot Rifles", author) about the non-typical lever found on this rifle. (straight-vertical vs serpentine-angular) Wal opined that it was an early design as there was much variation of levers early on. And, examination of the removed lever confirmed this, with a matching serial number found stamped on the back.

Although the cartridge seems a little on the smallish side, the factory load was 55g black powder under a 380g paper patch bullet for 1300 fps. I've been shooting a 405g lead bullet at 1350 fps which yields over 1600 ft/lbs muzzle energy. And, this cartridge actually exceeds the 45-70 Trapdoor Springfield Carbine Factory load by 100 fps.

I'll post some pictures of targets in the future.

I've been practicing with the rifle with the expectation of using it this fall to bag a Wisconsin Whitetail Deer. Estimating the range to use the correct leaf will be a challenge.

I'm currently waiting for a Westley Richards Factory Letter.

Your comments are welcome.



















--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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HuviusModerator
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3556
Loc: Colorado
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268350 - 22/07/15 10:33 PM

The Field is a great action IMO.
One other thing it has over the 1885 Winchester is that it is self cocking.

I would say that the lever has been reshaped as you can see the circular swath where the root of the original laid against the action. The only drawback is extraction leverage but on a 450 Carbine, it shouldn't pose a problem.
If the stock repair remains sound, it should last at least another 133yrs. These Fields are so reliable.

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

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m4220
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Loc: wa
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #268351 - 23/07/15 12:37 AM

Buckstix,
Here is a picture of an original package of WR ammo that I have that was made for that gun



m4220

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #268362 - 23/07/15 02:35 AM

Hello Huvius,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm very pleased with this rifle and its shooting. Apparently the lead paper-patch bullets give a better seal in the bore than the Hornady jacketed bullets based on the higher velocity with the same powder charge.

And, although the lead bullets shot well, they are a little too hot. Although the cases gave easy extraction, they expanded slightly. When I inserted a fired case back into the chamber, it required a lot of thumb pushing on the case head before the action would close. By contrast, the jacketed bullet fired cases could be replaced into the chamber without any pushing, and the action would close freely. Next time I'll try reducing the powder by 2 grains for the paper patch bullet load.



--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: m4220]
      #268363 - 23/07/15 02:37 AM

Hello m4220,

Thanks for the reply.

If you ever find some of these cartridge packs for sale, please let me know as I'd love to have such a pack for my display at various shows.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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m4220
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268364 - 23/07/15 03:32 AM

Hi Buckstix,
Sealed cartridge packets are hard to come by as I have only seen one other in my years of collecting, However I know how neat it is to have along side of a neat rifle such as yours & would be willing to entertain offers via PM.

m4220

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Reged: 01/05/04
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: m4220]
      #268426 - 23/07/15 10:30 PM

Nice rifle, and good shooting!

I just love those antiques. Good luck in the deer woods this fall.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: CptCurl]
      #268451 - 24/07/15 05:45 AM

Hello CptCurl,

Thanks for your reply.

If I get lucky, I'll post pictures here.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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Wayne59
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Reged: 20/06/15
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268459 - 24/07/15 09:52 AM

I have one on a Dealy and Edge action that uses the No2 case. Boy Wesley Richards sure liked there cleaning rods. I contacted them via Email and they told me they didn't have information on (as they put it) these old rifles. Who did you get in contact with to get a letter (if you don't mind me asking).

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Wayne59]
      #268461 - 24/07/15 10:14 AM


Very nice buckstix - MOST jealous as - is Curl, I suspect. Well done!

A laser rangefinder really helps with ranges, I find. I am currently using the Vortex 1000 & loving it.

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


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

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Wayne59]
      #268465 - 24/07/15 11:29 AM

Hello Wayne59,

Thanks for the reply.

I emailed Westley Richards like you did, and yes, they indicated that very few early "specialty" rifles were recorded in their ledgers, or the ledgers that contained the information has been lost.

I have also been told by others that have actually seen some of the early ledgers of British Gun makers, that many have pages that have crumbled into dust from age.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #268466 - 24/07/15 11:47 AM

Hello Daryl_S

Thanks for the reply,

Yes, I have a nice rangefinder that I use for Bow Hunting. I plan to make use of it with this rifle as well.

Today I slugged the bore of the rifle. It measures .462 dia over the 7-groove Henry rifling. I have now modified a 44 special seating die, into a "make-shift" swage die to "bump-up" some of the Hornady 350g bullets to the correct .462 diameter. The bullets look kind of strange with a 3/4 caliber ogive, but they should tell me what I need to know. If successful, I'll order a Corbin custom Semi-Wadcutter swage die in .462 dia.

Here is a before and after picture of the bullet.



--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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Bidgee
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Reged: 08/04/15
Posts: 711
Loc: Northern Rivers, NSW
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268469 - 24/07/15 03:01 PM

What a delightful old rifle!

Good luck in the bush with it.

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DarylS
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268493 - 25/07/15 01:32 AM

That long shank will likely drive up pressure. I'd probably go with a case bullet designed similarly shaped as the factory FN 350gr. The 350 pictured looks like the Speer 350gr., unless Hornady has changed their bullet shape again. If Speer, it won't expand as they have a 1/16" thick jacket designed for the .458 magnums & must be driven over 1,900fps or 2,000fps to initiate expansion.

The 350gr. Hornady RN - or better yet, a 300gr.FN or HP by Hornady, Rem. or Sierra would make better choices for a deer bullet, imho.

Veral Smith of LBT will make you a DC mould very reasonably priced and in the design and diameter you desire with whatever alloy you tell him. He's good - reasonable and knows cast bullets.

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


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

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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #268496 - 25/07/15 04:33 AM

Hello Daryl_S

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, they are Speer. These are pretty old and I don't think the jacket is very thick. Regardless, they swaged easily to .462 dia. As far as pressures go, there was no difference in pressure, AND, no difference in velocity, which was my goal. I'm thinking I might have to go even bigger in dia.

As far as molds go, I have over 225 molds and no less than 27 in 45 cal. But, I don't care to mess with bare lead bullets because there is a slight roughness in the first 3" of the barrel. Paper Patch and jacketed bullets have worked just fine, but I expect I may have leading issues with bare lead.

As far as expansion goes, these were only to test the increase in dia. I intend to swage my own once I'm satisfied they work. Or, I just might go back and test some more with paper-patch.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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HuviusModerator
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Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3556
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268670 - 29/07/15 05:43 AM

Here's a chance to have an example of the Field's patent with the tilting block.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100585234

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

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buckstix
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Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #268683 - 29/07/15 07:30 AM

Hello All,

I managed to do some load testing, and here's what I finally settled on. Although velocities were higher with paper-patch bullets, I settled on the Speer 350 FP bullets because accuracy was much better.

I would think this will work fine for Wisconsin Whitetail deer this fall.



--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: buckstix]
      #268685 - 29/07/15 09:35 AM

I think I'd be happy with that grouping.

The Speer 350's have been out maybe 4 (gosh - maybe 10 now?) years, - and they do have a 1/16" thick jacket- I've sectioned some - .063" jacket (below the cannelure) and their site noted minimum MV of 1,900fps.

If yours are older than that, I don't know what they'd be - the only other bullet Speer has had in .457 or .458" is the 400gr.

They do look identical to the current 350 Speer. Id so, they might not expand at all, but perhaps don't need to.

Hornady makes both RN and FN in 350gr. as well as a fairly good 300gr. Barnes makes Old Style in FN and Spitzer, both with .032" jackets. The FP usually runs faster than the 400gr. Speers, also with thinner jackets than their 350gr.

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


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

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Wayne59
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #268698 - 29/07/15 11:51 AM

I have been firing some cast bullets through mine and like yours the first few inches in front of the chamber are a little rough. So far no problems with leading. Tried black and smokeless powder along with 535gr bullets cast of 20-1. Bullets were to heavy and the recoil is pretty stiff. Going to try some 405grs next. Thanks for the info on the records. I thought I might have gotten a hold of someone who just didn't want to spend the time to look them up. Now if I could just get someone from Boss to answer an Email.

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buckstix
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Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Wayne59]
      #268707 - 29/07/15 04:19 PM

Hello Wayne59,

Thanks for the reply.

I found significantly less recoil with the jacketed bullets. As far as answering emails goes, I find making a phone call works much better. Just remember to set your alarm because 3:00 o'clock am our time, is about 11:00 am their time.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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buckstix
.400 member


Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1243
Loc: Whitetail Country
Re: Westley Richards FIELD'S Pat Falling Block Single Shot Rifle [Re: Wayne59]
      #271127 - 29/09/15 09:21 PM

Quote:

I have one on a Dealy and Edge action that uses the No2 case. Boy Wesley Richards sure liked there cleaning rods. I contacted them via Email and they told me they didn't have information on (as they put it) these old rifles.



Hello Wayne59,

I have shown below the letter that arrived from Westley Richards yesterday. As you can see they indicate that no history was found. However, its still nice to have a Factory Letter documenting that the rifle was made my them.



--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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