doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Westley Richards by Paul Jaeger

Looks like most people on this forum are into the bolt guns as that's what gets most of the postings but thought I would bring this up anyway. I purchased a Westley Richards falling block that was converted by Paul Jaeger to a varmint rifle. It is in .219 Donaldson Wasp and probably was made in the 50's or 60's Very nicely done, however. I bought it with the intentions of building it into a LR BPCR. Now before you all cringe and tell me I should restore it to original, just think of it as a shortened .450 nitro. It is a Best Quality as it has a sliding tang safety and was built in 1897. Now here's my dilemma! I would like to remove the tang safety and have it drilled and tapped for a tang sight. I may also have a block added for a through bolt. But since it was done by the Jaeger shop, I've been second guessing as I may be ruining a piece of history. As far as Westley Richards goes, the damage has already been done. How do Jaeger built rifles hold up in value? As I get older and can no longer shoot LR,(probably another 10 yrs) and I were to sell this rifle again, would it be worth more as a BPCR that few people will be interested in or as a Paul Jaeger varmint rifle on a Westley Richards action. In other words, in another 10-15 years, will there be anybody around like us that will really care?? What would you do?? Bob

Bob at 72 I have come to the concluusion You should do what makes you happy or what you want and would enjoy.Too many people worry about all this stuff and it usually end's up on a yard sale. I personally if it was still orginal or close would have to think about it. NOT for the value but for the History. JMO. Whitey

I am not familiar with the rules for LR BPCR. Are you required to use a tang sight? CPA makes an adapter (two actually) which clamps on the rear scope block and runs a rail to either the left side (Redfield) or over the top of the action (Anschutz) for a receiver sight. I have seen these in use at schuetzen matches. These sights are both cheaper and probably better than most tang sights selling for less than $400. For one thing, they have clicks!

Damage or no damage that Westley action is valuable, very valuable now days. You might want to let us see a few pictures. Falling block rifles are once again being appreciated by a fair number of people, besides I love the 1897 action would really enjoy seeing it.
Steve

I second the motion for pictures. And vote to shoot it however you like it.

Brent

I have one of those W/R single shots with the tang safety, originally a .303, a little like a Pacific Ballard with a full length cleaning rod under the barrel. Maybe twenty years back had it rebarreled to .30-40 with a new forend. That action is one of the most desirable of the Farquharson-style variants, much more so in my opinion than the second quality 1897 W/R where the safety is on the trigger guard. That you are thinking of taking off the tang safety and making holes in the action for a tang sight fills me with horror. 1878 has the solution, using the CPA extension bar.

If somebody can give me a link for directions on how to post pictures on this site, I'll try to get some up in the next day or so. Thank you!

Does this gun have a hammer, I beleive it might be required if your are going to compete...

My impression is that the hammer requirement (along with being a specifically listed rifle) is a BPCR Silhouette rule, not a BPCR Midrange or Long Range Rule. I believe rifles like the Sharps Borchardt are legal for MR/LR. Of course it has been some years since I actually read the NRA rule books, so I might be all wrong.

1878 is right, hammerless actions are okay for mid and long range. However, I don't know if has to be an American action or not. One never sees Martini on the line. Nor, for that matter, a Ruger #1. So there are some exclusionary rules but a requirement for hammers is not one of them.

I have got a copy of the rule book somewhere...

Brent