I believe there were at least three makers using the W Richards Name. William Richards used the W Richards mark as I recall, but he was a "Legitimate" maker. If you know guns at all his will not be confused with the "Knock-Offs". The Belgian made guns were most likely made by Pieper, who made some decent quality guns but Cheap ones as well. The W Richards guns generally fall in the Cheap category. I have a 12 gauge hammer gun marked W Richards as well which has Birmingham proofs. This gun is neither a Westley nor William Richards. It was likely made by J P Clabrough. It is a cut or so above the Belgian made ones but not of the quality of a hammerless Clabrough marked gun I also own, which is one of their lower grade guns carrying their name.
When these guns were being sold new the bottom line Clabrough sold for about $50.00 while the Belgian made W Richards was around $10.00 to $15.00. I do not know what price range the Birmingham made ones fall in. A close examination of the guns clearly shows the reason for this price differential.
I can't recall that I have ever seen a Crescent masde gun marked W Richards, but Crescent marked their guns with a world of different trade names for different retailers, so that is not too unusual, I have not seen near all the names they used.
PS; I do not recall having ever seen nor having seen reference to a Crescent made double larger than a 12 gauge.
