doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com My new project - Westley Richards single shot

I was very fortunate to purchase a Westley Richards 1871 "baby" frame single shot action. This action is very rare, comparable to hens teeth with hens teeth being easier to find.

My good friend, Glenn Fewless, is a great fan of English single shots has seen the action and is very excited to build a rifle based on this action. It is in superb condition considering that it is 150 years old, even the engraving is still very nice. The engraving will need some refresh but I do plan to keep the original pattern it just looks right. The plan for a new buttstock and forend is to use a very nice but not over the top piece of Turkish walnut so as to not over shadow the engraving etc. We, Glenn and I, have decided to use an ovate style barrel. It should look period in our opinion. The caliber will be a .218 bee simply because I have a good supply of new brass. That decision is up for change but it is my rifle.

I've included a couple of photos of the action for you viewing.

This looks like a great project please post progress photos

Make it a 218 Mashburn Bee....greatest feral chicken caliber ever

Great project. For meaningless opinion, possibly a larger bore cartridge might help it balance like a hundred and fifty years ago. Thanks for showing it.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one completed.

Steve

With Glenn doing the work, I'm sure it's destined to be a gorgeous rifle when he's done!

Have fun. Always interesting times with Glenn.

With Glenn's metal work and your stock making skills, this is going to be an incredible rifle. We would love to see photos with updates as the rifle comes along.

I dd forget to mention that this action is pictured in Wal Winfer's "British Single Shot Rifles, volume 4, page 72. the action shows the same frame discoloration spots, engraving pattern, screw alinement etc so I can only assume that this is the action pictured. There are issues with firing pin angle but the gun worked fine then and it will now.

I do plan to set the rifle up with open sights but it will have provision for a scope. I may need this for aging eyes.

Thank you all for commenting on the project.

I share the sentiments of those who feel this is a great project that will have an outstanding outcome. Progress reports would be greatly appreciated by all, I'm sure.

You answered some of my questions when you mentioned the firing pin angle. I couldn't see a hammer, and assumed it must be striker fired. But the action appears so trim and compact that there didn't seem to be much room for a firing pin and it's travel either. I'd be interested in learning more about the design. I assume the bottom lever is to operate the breech block, and the side lever is for cocking. Is there some reference that illustrates the internals?