There are plenty of Birmingham guns out there marked "W Richards". It was a trade name, apparently used by Folsom. It's probable that Folsom started sourcing their guns from Belgium after the 1890 Tariff Act.
Ken, "W. Richards" was the tradename of William Richards of Preston and Liverpool. He seems to have "done nothing" to discourage the confusion between his name and the "Westley Richards" name. Whether or not he was involved in the use of "W. Richards" by Belgian maker(s) is not, at this time, known. At least, he was unable to stop this use, to his mark's considerable detriment. It appears that he was a maker in the true sense. Likely he bought in work from the trade, as did most (if not all), finished gun makers. W. Richards of Preston/Liverpool (he had shops in both and used both locations) is/should be a well respected name. W. Richards of Belgium is generally low quality.
DDA
