Stan, the Internet Gun Club lists 13 gunmaking firms with the last name of Richards in Britain and with the first name starting with W. Only one is listed as W. Richards. I think your thought that W. Richards tried to trade on the Westley Richards name is faulty, especially since the beginning of the William Richards firm predates Westley Richards.
Do you think there was possibly some intent by Williams and Powell to try to associate with the name of William Powell ? Or visa versa ?
Thank you, Daryl, for sticking it out until I comprehended the facts you and OWD presented. It would have been quite impossible for W. Richards to have been capitalizing on the Westley Richards name when the latter firm was not even in business when the former was already well established. I really appreciate a presentation of facts, and thank you both for your patience.
It's a great day when I learn something useful, and have misconceptions corrected.
All my best, SRH
