http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/373843/fi68.cgiThis picture is the only info I have on this gun, so anything you can add will be helpful
thanks
Steve
I second JABC.
The Belgian use of this name should not be confused with the Preston/Liverpool Brit maker nor with Westley Richards of Birmingham.
Hey Guys
westaugusta just made his first post. You probably should not just say JABC.
west What they were trying to say is that the gun is a very cheaply made SxS and probably only good to hang on the wall. JABC means Just Another Belgian Clunker.
Back in 1889 the magazine Forest and Stream was doing a series of pattern and penetration tests of various shotguns available to the American shooting public in each issue. For the September 26 issue they decided to take a break from the Greener, Scott, L.C. Smith, Winchester Model 1887, Colt, Remington, etc., and test H & D Folsom's cheapest doubles. Here is a brief quote of what they had to say --
“...but the mean grade gun of no name. "W. Richards," that nonentity in the gun trade, was stamped on the plate, but they were really only those cheap bits of ordnance which come through our custom houses, pay a duty of 40 per cent., and yet may be placed on the counters of the gun shop at $5 a piece. The Forest and Stream has already in past times expressed its opinion about these pestiferous products of the penurious population clustered on Belgian soil.”
Thanks to everyone for the opinions on the W.Richards. There's also a L.C.Smith 12b field so I might go to this estate auction for entertainment purposes ( I think I said that the last time and ended up bringing one home) Sometimes after one sits through 3hrs of carnival glass waiting for a gun to be brought to the auction block you may feel you deserve a new gun! I'm still quite green on the SxS world and have watched and learned from the sidelines both here and DGJ so I actually got the JABC lingo.
Thanks Again,
Steve
WAugusta,
Go for the Smith! I have a W. Richards 10 bore. Mine doesn't have belguim proofs only Birmingham (1887 to 1904 proofs). I can't remember when that series of proofs began but I do know the 1904 is correct. The shotgun is designed to look pretty on the outside and is not so hot on the inside. I knew mine was'nt a Westly Richards as the dealer told me when I bought it. It did however come to the shoulder nice, despite the ten pound heft. Needless to say, It came home with me from the gunshow.
That said, mine has had the barrels magna-fluxed and they are solid. I have been shooting blackpowder out of mine and it has been quiet amuzing! My trap load is 4.24 drams of bp and 1 1/8th oz of shot. I used Republic Mettalic Cartridges 5 dram load of #4 bismuth on a pair of mallards earlier this month. Enjoy the Smith!!
NIs, you have an English made William Richards gun. It will be of originally sound design, materials, and craftsmanship. W. Richards, like most all Brit makers, supplied a wide range of original quality grade guns, but no clunkers.
"The shotgun is designed to look pretty on the outside and is not so hot on the inside." A JABC or yours? I'd bet yours is just fine on the inside unless it has had the misfortune to meet with some hack.
Yep, the 'ole 10 bores will still do it if fed a fair diet.