doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Henry Richards of London

I have a Henry Richards 10 gauge hammer gun which originally belonged to my great uncle. It has a London address, but I cannot find any information on this maker. Any leads are appreciated.

So Mills,what's the address on the rib. There was an American importer of W&C Scott guns that sold them under the Henry Richards name. Please provide complete legend. The only London Henry Richards I could find ceased business there in 1811.

At first blush, it sounds like a Belgian forgery playing on the English name Richards and a London address.

I look forward to pictures to get to the bottom of it.

Mills,
The Maker/seller of your was most likely Henry Richards of,51 Oldhall Street,Liverpool,active 1858-1870. London records of the era do not show a gunmaker by the name Henry Richards active after 1811.
It is remotely possible that Henry was a London Ironmonger[Hardware store] who sold Birmingham made guns engraved with his name.
Many guns of provincial origin are found with the top rib engraved," London fine Twist" [or Damascus,] This was a marketing ploy used by some provincial gun makers to imply that the gun was at least in part London made and thus justified serious consideration by any prospective purchaser.
Recommend that you post pictures of your gun including the Proof marks,we will then be able to confirm origin.

It is at the shop getting fixed, otherwise I would post pictures. I believe it states it was made in 1876, it has laminated steel barrels. The gunsmith said most of the parts were Belgium made but there was a Henry Richards gunsmith in London around 1876. Unfortunately, that was the extent of the information.

Mills,

Before you go too far with repairs ou might want to figure out its value. The repairs however small are likely to exceed te gun's value.

There are only 2 Richards guns that hold significant value . The ancient firm of W. Richards of Liverpool (who never marked a gun with any London address) and the newer firm of Westley Richards of London.

Numerous Belgian and American guns played on the goodwill and quality of those two firms with the intent to deceive. Probably the single most plagiarized name in all of guns is "Richards".

I'd love to see pictures of your gun when you get a chance.

I will post pictures when it comes back from the gunsmith. The repairs are not too bad (one of the hammers needs adjusting and the forend won't latch on). It also has sentimental value as my great uncle gave it to my father in law who gave it to me.

With the types of repairs you need, you should be okay. Looking forward to the pics.

I have a Henry Richards that I am restoring now. Very high quality sidelever hammer gun with London address on the barrels, Birmingham proofs. Will post pictures when I can.

Gil,please post the legend as it appears on the rib,thanks