2020 September Premier, Volume I

260
LOT 297
Attractive Engraved .470 Nitro Express Westley Richards & Co. “Drop
Lock” Single Trigger Ejector Double Barrel Rifle with Case - Serial no.
01399, 470 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Blued barrels signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co. LONDON” on the smooth
concave rib, “.470 EXPRESS CARTRIDGES” on the right barrel, “75/500 GRS” on
the left barrel, blade front sight with flip up moon and hood, matted quarter
rib with four leaf express sight graduated “50,” “100,” “200,” and “300” and
inlaid with platinum sighting lines, small importer marks, and Birmingham
nitro proofs. Casehardened box lock incorporating Westley Richards’ 1897
patent hand detachable lock mechanism with turned locks respectively
inlaid “L” and “R” in gold, doll’s head rib extension, engraved floral scrollwork,
signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co.” on both sides and “WESTLEY RICHARDS/
PATENT ONE TRIGGER” on top, flip up peep sight mounted on the break lever, extended
tang tapped for sight mounting, Westley Richards patent single trigger with selector of
trigger plate with “L” and “R” in gold, automatic bolted safety with “SAFE” and “BOLTED”
in gold. Nicely figured walnut pistol grip stock with multi-point checkering, horn grip
cap and forearm tip, forearm with engraved hardware, silver oval initial oval engraved
“JFK/III”, stamped “1286” near the toe, straight comb, right handed cheekpiece and
solid Pachmayr Old English recoil pad. Length of pull: 14 1/2 inches; weight:
11 lbs. 11 oz. Comes with a Huey leather bound oak case with “J.F.K./III”
marked initial oval on the outside of the lid, canvas cover signed
“J.F.K./III”, oiler, leather sling, and two-piece cleaning rod
with three attachments.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrels retain 97% professionally
reapplied blue finish showing some thinning and minor
scratches. The receiver retains 20% original case colors
in and around the protected areas, otherwise faded to a
gray. The remaining surfaces retain 95% blue finish. The
engraving is crisp. The wood is fine with minor handling
marks and some worn checkering. Mechanically excellent.
The case is fine with a short crack on a lid side and some
minor handling/storage marks.
Estimate: 15000 - 25000