What does the “T” prefix in a Westley Richards serial number indicate?

Thanks

I seem to remember that it stands for made for the colonies or exported guns. Not positive and not close to my library at the moment.

My understanding is that it designates guns made for them to be badged with their name but actually made by others in the Trade.

I have also seen it suggested that it designates guns made by them (or for them?) for others in the trade to sell.

A “Special ^ Quality” Westley Richards 12 bore BLNE T5*** stamped by them on top of the top extension “Made for Ford Bros.Maritzburg” which recently came back from South Africa clearly supports the latter theory.

As it has a Greener style cross bolt (as used by then by many others in the Trade) it could well also fit the former theory.

Intriguingly it is also stamped (using a different style of letters) on top of the left barrel “FORD’S HAMMERLESS WARRIOR’S GUN”.

I suspect that stamp might have been applied by Ford Brothers who were then Ironmongers in Pietermaritzburg.

( The “ ^ “ denotes the W R Triangle trademark which is lacking from my keyboard)

This thread has some information on T series guns WR T series

Ken