doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com William Richards English SxS

Hey guys, since this is obviously my first post, go a little easy on me

My father passed away around a year ago and left me his collection of guns. Most of them are standard, and easy to identify. I have had a bit of trouble, however, with this gun in particular.

From what I've read, the famous Westley Richards had a cousin named William Richards who was more than happy to use his initial while Westley always used his full first name.

I also know that there are a lot of "cheap" Belgian hammer guns that were also manufactured with "W. Richards".

What I believe I have is not a Belgian gun, but a William Richards, manufactured in London(?).

Anyway, I was wondering if some brilliant firearm minds could confirm or deny that this is indeed a William Richards and could also tell me around market value for such a gun.

Thank you all so much in advance!










"W. Richards Preston and Liverpool"
















Thanks again guys!

Hi,

Welcome to the BBS. You have a Webley and Scott built gun, retailed by W Richards. The clue to the W&S origin is the big serial number on the bottom of the barrels. If you post the complete number we can run it against known W&S records.

The proof marks are from between 1905 and 1924(? not near my books).

The importer was Hill Rod and Gun of Bozeman, MT, They are a great company. Google them and give them a call. They might be able to tell you more.

On this BBS we love it when someone asks the first question.

Joe

I have a W. Richards trade label, if you ever want to make a proper case for your gun. (Dave will get his $10) jn

Pretty gun!

Here's a link to Hill Rod & Gun.
http://www.hillrodandgun.com/

Good luck!

Adam

Thanks guys!

I'll check out the links and post the serial # when I get home tomorrow.

Just from the way that the action is filed up, I would have guessed Arthur Howell & Co, Birmingham, early-to-mid 1930s.

But I have been wrong before.

Geechums,

BTW your father's gun is listed in the Hill Rod & Gun "sold guns archive", I was just looking at photos of it the other day.

And if you ever decide that you might be interested in selling it please let me know, I think that it is an exceptionally well finished up Birmingham BLNE.

You are in luck as the Makers are still in business although now situated in Yorkshire, England. He has full records of W.Richards guns; http://www.wrichardsguns.co.uk/ Your gun passed through the Birmingham Proof House sometime between 1925 and 1954. And, as it lacks a proof House date letter code that should narrow it to between 1941 and 1950 when they stopped coding them for some reason. If you click on the link you should be able to get more information. Lagopus.....

Webley is not .Typical Birmingham "trade" gun . I have seen several with similar engraving and it appears to be nicely finished , looks to be a date stamp just in front of the flats on the right tube so that makes it after 1920 and as it has chamber length and shot load it must be after 1924. Is there a letter H preceding the serial number on the short rib?

Gunman;

It's fences are not typical of Holloway (H) but it could be one of their's. Yes, typical trade gun with Greener leverworks and slide saftey works.


Redoak;

Sometimes on A. Howell guns his stamp will be at the bottom junction of the barrels and action flat "AHco". Could be his brother's (William Howell) work though.

Bv

Nice gun, i have one very similar. If you contact W.Richards I'm sure you will find them very helpful. They still have the records. There's an interesting section on the history of the firm on the website too.