Westley Richards is one the gun world’s most famous makers — and for good reason. Their 1875 patent for the Anson & Deeley side-by-side boxlock action is one of the most important shotgun innovations ever created. In 1914, Westley Richards came up with another shotgun patent. This one was for an over-under, and even though it wasn’t as revolutionary as the one they filed in 1875, this patent was almost as unique.
Westley Richards called their new OU the Ovundo, and with it they joined Boss & Co, Frederick Beesley and James Woodward & Sons as another British gunmaker building stack-barreled, hammerless guns. But while Boss and Woodward both used low-profile actions with pivot-points mounted on the sides of the barrels and locking points in the lower third of the action, WR used a single, small lump on the bottom of the barrels and locking bites located at the top sides the barrels at the breech end. The Ovundo were also boxlocks, with the lockwork mounted on either side of the action, and they came in range of models, from basic ones with fixed locks to fancy ones with sideplates, inspection ports and detachable locks.
BTW: According to this blog post by Simon Clode Westley Richards is set to start building the Ovundo again.
Westley Richards “Ovundo” 20ga 28in Solid Rib Single Trigger Ejector: A sweet beautiful light 5lb 9oz 20ga single trigger (selective) straight english stock to a checkered butt with toe and heel plates. Great case colors, great engraving on a scalloped frame. Knockout wood. Price: $25,995.
WESTLEY RICHARDS OVUNDO DROP LOCK 12 GAUGE: HINGED PLATE 26″ SOLID RIB 014 AND 036 2 3/4 SINGLE TRIGGER EJECTORS FIELD FOREARM PISTOL GRIP SKELETON BUTT MAKERS CASE EXCELLENT MINTY ORIGINAL CONDITION 6LBS 14 OZ X 2 5/8″ X 1 1/2″ X 14 1/4″. Price: $35,000.
Westley Richards, Birmingham. Magnificent 20ga. “Ovundo”, detachable-lock, game gun completed in 1924 and remaining in near new condition throughout: Stunning vintage 20ga. remaining in near pristine condition throughout. Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz. Stock Dimensions: 14 ¾”x 1 ½”x 2 3/8”x straight. Superb, flawless, 28” barrels with 2 ¾” chambers and brilliant bores, .628”/.631” (proofed at .625”/.626”), choked .011”/ .035”, and with minimum wall thickness of .033”/.029”, retain virtually all the original black finish. The iconic Westley Richards Patent Hand-Detachable locks remain in pristine condition. Beautifully deep-relief engraved action and side plates equipped with inspection doors retain virtually all the original brilliant hardening colors.
Westley Richards Patent single-selective trigger. Nicely figured walnut stock and forend retain virtually all the original finish and checkering remains crisp and sharp showing no evidence of use whatever. Silver’s butt pad in good condition.. Original Maker’s oak and leather case is in fine condition and contains the original complement of accessories in virtually unused condition. The original canvas and leather outer cover has a number of tiny specs of what would appear to be white paint spatter but is otherwise in very good condition. The overall fit and finish of this magnificent little gun is exemplary in every regard and it is hard to believe it is almost 100 years old. Overall a near pristine example and a great rarity. Unlikely you will ever have another opportunity to own such a classic in this condition. Price: $74,500.
