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I just picked up this W. Richards shotgun. I know it's not a Westley Richards. According to the Birmingham proof marks it was made between 1896 and 1904. I wanted it because of the nice wood. It still has an unbroken horn buttplate and mint bores. Let me know if the pictures dont load. I haven't posted here in a while.

https://imgur.com/a/AfEfYLk

Fixed it for ‘ya:


https://postimg.cc/gallery/nMn5LzY


Welcome back.

The English old gun guys will know more, but, it looks like it was bored as a 13 gauge and proofed for 1 1/4oz of shot, something I don’t recall seeing on an old English gun. The marks also tell you it is choked, but, not how much.

‘Whatchs you going to use it for?

Best,
Ted

Dang. They don’t want to open individually.

Oh well.

Best,
Ted

I may shoot some 2 1/2" shells though it once in a while. I also have a Sjögren shotgun that needs them. I mostly just bought it for the wood figure and it was only $700 which I thought was reasonable. Old Western Scrounger has been importing some odd doubles.

https://www.hallowellco.com/british_proof%20marks%20-%20syntax%20by%20date.htm

This was where I was getting my proof marks. The 13/1 mark may place it at 1896. This is just my guess.

13/1 was used until 1954.

I don’t see 13/1. I see 13. The lack of chambers length makes me think 1904-1925 rules of proof.

Best,
Ted

I have a 16ga Damascus hammer gun marked W. Richards. Mine is clearly Belgian. Wonder if some were made in Belgium, proofed in England?

I grew up with a W Richards 12 bore double in the house. It was not a shootable gun, and was of rather poor quality and in very poor condition. Made a fine wall hanger, and nothing more. I remember a story I was told that W. Richards was a janitor at a factory in Belgium that gave the company that made it the right to stamp it as such, but they were certainly playing on the Westley Richard name and reputation in selling them to rubes in America.

Exactly who told me that story, I do not recall. I do not think it was Dad. I have no recollection of the proofs. I was in the single digits back then, and all guns were fascinating, especially if they were old and worn.

W. Richards, Preston and Liverpool, is an English manufacturer. There were Belgian manufacturers that tried to capitalize on the name, but, this isn’t one of them. It was proofed in England.

Clearly, this one is English.

Best,
Ted

Perhaps, Westley's cousin William. The W. Richards of Belgium is another Richards.