Higher prices don’t always mean higher quality. That’s the case with the 12 gauge sidelock Westley Richards you see here and here. With these side by sides, the better shotgun costs half the money.
Westley Richards is famous for their boxlocks shotguns. But for most of their history they’ve also made sidelocks. Many these sidelocks were actually produced for Westley by makers who worked independently for the trade.
That’s the case with both of these doubles.
These sidelock Westleys were made “in the trade,” the first after 1989, the second around 1964. While both of them look like Best-quality shotguns, the newer one isn’t any wear near as nice as its older brother.
Take a look at the older Westley and you’ll see a much finer, crisper shotgun. From the filing up of the action to the shaping of the stock, the team that made this gun went a bit further in everything they did. And this extra quality really shows.
