The secrets of the sexy 20 gauge Westley Richards SxS …

20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger

On Wednesday, I put up this post  and asked Can you guess this 20 gauge Westley Richards’ secrets?

Right away, few folks spotted this pretty little side-by-side’s special features right: sideclips, a Greener-style top bolt, and, most impressively, droplocks (AKA hand-detachable locks).

Westley Richards patented the Anson & Deeley boxlock action in 1875. Twenty-one year later, they updated it with their iconic hand detachable locks. Hand-detachable locks were to clean up the action’s appearance. After their introduction, a couple major benefits became apparent: If a lock breaks in the field, it can be replaced in a few minutes, and at the end of damp mornings or wet days, you pull the locks out for oiling and give the inside of the gun a good opportunity to dry.

Original WR advertising image for detachable locks
Original WR advertising image for detachable locks

Here a few things I love the 20 gauge droplock you see here:

-The beautiful cut scroll engraving

-The original Westley Richards single selective trigger

-The blushes of genuine color-case hardening

-The untouched, fancy checkering on the stock

-It’s tiny action. I hard to tell in the pictures, but its perfectly scaled to the gauge.

-It’s condition. Other than the extension on the stock (and maybe a bit of oil on the wood), this gun has not been messed with. Sure it has some dings and wear, but every one was put there

BTW: Remember, this gun is for sale. If you would like to know more about it, drop me an email: gregg@dogsanddoubles.com

20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26" barrels, Westley single trigger
20 gauge Westley Richards SxS Double Barrel Shotgun, 26″ barrels, Westley single trigger
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