|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 members (),
339
guests, and
4
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,445
Posts544,840
Members14,406
| |
Most Online1,258
Mar 29th, 2024
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859 |
Dude,
Skeettx is correct, I had a 12 gauge no-name Belgium made gun like the 16 gauge you have (mine didn't even say W Richards on it). I used to shoot it at local SXS events using Winchester AA Low Recoil/low noise shells. People asked what it was so often, I finally had JABC lazer engraved in big letters on the locks. Like Skeettx said, even with its humble origin it was still fun to shoot.
Steve
Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617 |
The posts above reminded me of something an old, sadly deceased shooting friend once said to me, I had a well used 30 Belgian boxlock , my first shotgun. I'd tidied it up, it was tight and shot well but I hankered after a fine english gun.
He said to me...
'It'll kill a rabbit just as dead as a Purdey will'
Wise words indeed.I had a lot of fun with that old gun and it put some food on the table. One misfire in all the time I had it. Someone else owns it now and it's still doing the job it was made to do.
Last edited by El Garro; 09/17/12 10:23 AM.
Rust never sleeps !
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 707
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 707 |
Note that Westley Richards never (I know, never say never) marked his guns other than "Westley Richards." Now, his several removed cousin (as I recall), William Richards, did, indeed, mark his guns "W. Richards." William's guns will be found with Preston or Liverpool addresses. They will be of the quality that was ordered/paid for, farmer grade BLNE to to best work SLE. Westley Richards guns have Brand Value of 3/4 of Boss-H&H-Purdey-Woodward guns and W. Richards have 1/2. The Belgian use of the "W. Richards" name must not be confused with either Westley or Williams products. The gun in question is undoubtedly a Belgian made "hardware store" gun, and a lower grade at that. Sorry, but that is the truth.
DDA One clarification regarding the "real McCoy" W. Richards guns. While most guns will say Liverpool, some do say London. It appears William Richards had a London address at one time and learned his trade there. This would be akin to seeing a Westley marked London (a retail outlet) when made in B'ham. Above all, quality and proof marks together confirm a real W. Richards. The logs and the firm still exist so if in doubt, ask W. Richards if the gun is theirs.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 617 |
The' new' W. Richards have a website with a lot of information and history of the original firm and are very helpfull when asked about tracing a gun from the extensive records that they have. They can supply authenticity certificates for a small price but will also help out over the phone or email.
They gave me dates of manufacturer and sale for both of their guns that I have owned which were sold from the Preston shop. Their main shop was in Liverpool but I believe they had premises in London and one in Australia too.
The original W.Richards finished trading in the 80's and the name and rights were acquired by the present firm based in York. I'm not sure how to post links but they are W. Richards. Pocklington York. On the website
They make some very nice guns too.
Rust never sleeps !
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
I have a early side lever (Left Side) 12 back action hammer gun marked W Richards with Birmingham proofs, but am under no illusions of it being the Real McCoy. It has the quality of a JABC. It doesn't have an address per se but each lockplate is marked W Richards & then the top rib is marked W Richards London Laminated Steel. Bore was proofed as a 13 but I am thinking as it was proofed prior to the in between marks it probably started life very close to a 14 with a 12 chamber. It does however also pre-date the chamber mark, so hard to say for sure what it was originally.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,532 Likes: 169
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,532 Likes: 169 |
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
An 1886 job sheet from John P. Moore's Sons, New York lists "Clabrough's make, marked W. Richards, laminated steel barrels,..."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,097 Likes: 588
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,097 Likes: 588 |
Skeettx: Forgive me for dredging up old posts (it was painfully slow at work today!)but I couldn't help but comment on your mention of owning and shooting a W. Richard's 16-bore. Right after the recent election, I decided that I wasn't going to leave any loose ends unaddressed concerning my personal battery of firearms and purchased a lovely little W. Richards 16 that had been sorely tempting me for something-like 6-months. It's the No. 1 gun of a pair that was made in 1906. Overall... fit, finish, and weight & balence were what finally sold me on it. With 28-inch tubes and a LOP of 14 7/8-inch, this little BLE still only tips the scales at 5LBS13, and it's comb was/is so petite that even with a very slight cast-off it still fit's me (a lefty) shockingly well. I'm really looking forward to next Fall in Minnesota to see how it does on those yummy little ruffies. From Mr. Hadoke's new book on boxlocks, I'm fairly certain that it's a product of Webley & Scott because of it's screw-grip action. But... it's easily the most petite Webly I've ever held. It's as narrow across the bar as a 2-inch twelve (which I understand to be mostly built on 20-gauge frames). Is your gun as svelte as this one?
Last edited by Lloyd3; 01/17/13 10:54 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,532 Likes: 169
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,532 Likes: 169 |
No, my gun is old and well used, and a sweetheart to shoot  Sounds like you have a svelt lady of a gun, good on ya!!!! Enjoy the shooting Is she a 2 1/2" chambered gun? Mike
USAF RET 1971-95
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,097 Likes: 588
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,097 Likes: 588 |
She started life as one, but was reproved to 2 3/4 in the fairly recent past. Because of the light weight and her very thin wrist (a diamond at that!) I'll not use 2 3/4 unless I have no other options. I did get to use her on wild Bobwhite near Campo, Colorado this Fall and she did her part. Was hoping for some Blues as well but we're in a serious drought here. I have high hopes for next year.
|
|
|
|
|
