doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Seeking opinions on WR Detachable lock

My reference library is thin on British shotguns and I seek help from the members in vetting a WR shotgun.

It is a 12 bore with patented one trigger, scalloped action back, dolls head rib extension, and detachable/drop locks with hinged floor plate, and 30� bbls.

According to the T-series serial number it is 1922-1926 production and I believe 1925 or 1926 as it is stamped with 2 3/4 choke on the underside of the barrels.

I would like to know if the locks are original to the gun. I don�t have the gun in hand yet but what I can tell from pictures is that the barrels serial number to the number on the trigger guard tang. There is a different number on the water table that also appears on the lock. I don�t see the barrel/TG number stamped on the water table. A separate number is visible on one of the locks that is different than the barrel serial number. I�ll post pictures to clarify. I would expect the gun�s serial number (presumably the same as the barrel/TG number) to be stamped on the locks and water table and all to match? I�m aware of patent use numbers but unsure how these would appear.

The gun appears to be fairly high condition and presented as original but I want to make sure this isn�t a cobbled together Frankengun.

My other question relates to the proof marks. I don�t have a picture of the barrel flats but it looks like everything is stamped forward of the flats on the underside of the barrels before the forearm lug. Is there anything here concerning in terms of reproof, etc.? Minimum wall thickness is reported to be 35 thousandths choked IC and extra-full, proved at 1 1/4 and barrels without forearm weigh 3lbs12oz with gun weighing 7lb 6 oz total.

This is a T series gun which I understand indicates it may have been retailed abroad. I don�t have a pic of the rib to see if this is engraved with a retailer or what address it bears although the label in the case reads 23 Conduit St which I believe is correct for the gun. It does seem to have the desirable features of fancy back/scalloped action, the patented one trigger, fancier checkering pattern, and case.

Any thoughts positive or critical, overall impressions and fair market valuation would be welcome.

I�ll be following along and can try to answer any questions.
Thanks

I will live vicariously through your purchase. That is a quite beautiful shotgun. Nothing about it looks out of sort. The colors and condition are very nice and appear all original to me.

The different number on the locks (I did not see a pic of the locks) is likely a patent use number, although with the 1925-6 production, I would have thought that patent would have expired. You will likely see a number on the water table that matches the locks.

The case looks very nice and totally repairable.

I see there is a sling in the case. I don't see a sling stud on the butt. Curious about that.

CJF,
I believe those are two case straps. It is a nice looking gun.
Karl

I don't see a picture of the water table or the locks. I have a WR droplock made in 1928. The Birmingham proofs are on the barrels and not the flats like the gun you are looking at. I was told this is not unusual for Birmingham guns. The flats are clean with no markings other than the US importer. The locks have the guns serial # and are marked with L and R in gold. This is a number 2 gun so the locks also have a gold 2 on them. The lock serial # is underneath the ejector kicker and you have to move the kicker to see the serial #. The locks and water table are also marked with the patent use number.

The gun you are looking at looks in good condition and has the features (scroll back, WR dolls head, engraving) of their higher end droplock. I'm not a big fan of Brit single triggers and don't know how reliable the WR trigger is. Although, WR put them on their heavy DRs and some famous hunters didn't complain. It is probably solid as long as no one has tinkered with it.

This an old thread on WR droplocks with a lot opinions. Droplock

Ken

In each picture, if you will click on embed codes, and the BBCode, copy and paste here, they will show

Some how Westley's managed to get the Proof House to stamp the proof marks on the barrels . I do not recall any other guns stamped up like this in the 20c. Looks good except for the awful recoil pad which should be replaced with a "Silvers" type one immediately and the person who fitted this one publicly shamed .

Odd to see the "T" serial number series on a C- bolt gun.

You could also say the same thing about the Alan Lard designed single triggers, as the HOT used on Hunter Arms L.C. Smith guns and the Westley Richards trigger are of the same design, or so I have read. Imagine Ernest Hemingway or his pal Winston Guest using that .577 Express rifle in Africa ( or elsewhere in the World)--and having it double-- Not good. RWTF