doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - Proofs on barrels instead of flats

I don't think I've ever encountered proofs marked this way. And the chambers are marked 2-5/8". What time period would they have been applied? Photos: https://imgur.com/gallery/C6xSCOi

For some reason Westley's unlike other Birmingham Makers got the proof house to stamp on the barrel tubes , A hang over to earlier times . Never knew why .
As for sleeving 99.9% sure its all original as -
1 its not marked sleeved .
2 sleeving was under 1954 rules of proof as it was not common practice until the early 60's
3 it would not have been marked up this way with all the trade marks

The gun was ordered with a rubber cheek pad and rubber butt pad. These were replaced with wood inserts. It also has a greener safety. This is the number 1 gun of a pair.







Ken

Unfortunately low resolution & small image
IF that is 1 1/8 to the R of the NITRO PROOF the marks would 1925-1954 with the (odd) chamber length
Probably just the terrible image but could there be sleeve lines at the arrows?
It looks suspiciously like the flats were polished and old proof marks removed?



Another WR from 1928 also with Westley Richards Special Steel (but a different mark) also with the proof marks on the barrels. Reproof marks are on the flats as expected



Maybe just a WR thing?

BrentD,

This my gun and is a best WR boxlock not a Skimin and Wood. It was made for the Maharaja of Alwar.

Ken

No I don’t have the number 2 gun. It would be interesting to see it turn up, but not holding my breath. The gun has 27” barrels.

Ken

In the unlikely event I see it, I'll be sure to let you know. Quite a gun.

A Greener side safety combined with Westley Richards lever work is certainly unusual, but not unheard of.

This J.V. Needham, made by W.W. Greener in the late 1880’s with a first model Facile Princeps action, is an earlier example.