There are 4 things I love about this classy, little Best-Quality Westley Richards boxlock ejector droplock shotgun coming to auction May 7, 2018 at Poulin’s Antiques in Fairfield, ME.
1. It’s an Anson & Deeley-style boxlock. This is one of the classic British shotgun designs. Reliable & rugged, it’s been around since 1875 and is still used by Westley Richards today (those guns start at £54,500).
2. Droplocks (or”detachable locks,” as the Brits call them). Invented in 1897, droplocks are durable, easy to maintain, and just plain cool. Gunwriter Vice Venters wrote “Westley Richards hand detachable…are nothing short of a stroke of genius.”
3. Newish barrels by Westley Richards in 1954. They’re this gun’s hidden value–and a huge benefit. Even though this gun is 100+ year old, it has modern, 2 3/4″ chambers nitro-proofed for 1 1/4 ounce loads (and perfect upland chokes). That means it can shoot most easy-to-find, modern, 12-gauge ammo (just stick to light loads and lead shot).
4. Its estimate. With a low range of $3,000, it could go cheap. And if it goes anywhere with the $3-5,000 range, it’s a deal.
Lot 1014: WESTLEY RICHARDS DROPLOCK SXS SHOTGUN: Cal. 12 Ga., 2 3/4″. S# 9004. Bbls. 26″ Fluid steel w/ Nitro proofs for 1 1/4 oz. loads were new from Westley Richards in 1954. “Westley Richards” gold name model. Scalloped drop lock action having Case colored finish w/ blue floorplate & trigger guard. Removable locks have fully jeweled surfaces. Single selective trigger. Auto ejectors. Horn-tipped splinter forearm & straight hand stock of hand checkered fine English walnut w/ silver nameplate in toeline. LOP: 14 5/16″ over Universal solid red pad. DAC: 1 5/8″. DAH: 2 1/4″. Cast off. Bore diameter: right – .729, left – .029. Bore restriction: right – .010, left – .020. Wall thickness: right – .033, left – .030. Weight: 6 lbs. 5.9 oz CONDITION: 70% blue w/ fading along sides. Frame retains 30% lightly visible case colors. Floorplate shows 80% blue. Trigger guard has good blue on bow w/ silvering along grip. Stocks have lightly worn finish w/ scattered scratches & handling marks. Very good bright bores. (17-3919/DS). CURIO. $3,000-5,000.
