Westley Richards & Co. historical shotgun pair 12/65 with ejectors

For sale is an extraordinary and historically documented pair of Westley Richards & Co. double-barrel shotguns in caliber 12/65, together in the historic, custom-fit Westley Richards double case.

What makes this set special has now been confirmed by a factory statement from Westley Richards & Co. in Birmingham: The two shotguns were not just later assembled into a pair by a collector. Rather, the second shotgun was explicitly built in 1896 by Westley Richards as a partner weapon to the first shotgun already made in 1892 – for the same original customer, Mr. E. Mapplebeck.

Thus, this is a historically matching pair of shotguns created by Westley Richards themselves with documented provenance.
Westley Richards & Co.

Westley Richards is one of the most traditional English gun manufacturers. Founded in 1812 in Birmingham, the company significantly shaped English shotgun making with numerous own patents.

Among the most important developments is the Boxlock system developed by William Anson and John Deeley and patented in 1875, which became one of the most significant action systems in classic English shotgun making.

The offered firearms are two elegant hammerless Boxlock ejector guns with double triggers and automatic safety.

The receivers feature fine classic English scroll engraving. Engraved top levers and safety sliders as well as the gold inlaid “SAFE” inscription emphasize the high-quality traditional craftsmanship.

On the mechanism, among other things, the historical patent markings can be found:

“ANSON & DEELEY'S PATENT 8573”

“DEELEY'S PATENT EJECTOR 1323”

Both shotguns have ejectors that work flawlessly and powerfully.
Factory-confirmed history and provenance

The two shotguns bear the serial numbers:

No. 14543
No. 15447

An inquiry at Westley Richards & Co. in Birmingham and the subsequent review of the historical factory records have now revealed remarkable information about the history of the pair.

Westley Richards confirms:

Shotgun No. 14543 was made in 1892.

Shotgun No. 15447 was made in 1896.

Especially interesting: No. 15447 was explicitly made in 1896 as a partner weapon to No. 14543 for the same customer.

The original customer is recorded in the documents as Mr. E. Mapplebeck.

Westley Richards explains that it was quite common at the time for a customer with an already existing single shotgun to return to the manufacturer and later have a second matching firearm made.

This is exactly what happened with this pair: Four years after the first shotgun was made, the second firearm was produced by Westley Richards to form a pair together with No. 14543.

Westley Richards also considers it likely that both shotguns were already fitted together in a double case in 1896. This matches the still existing historic Westley Richards double case.

Thus, the historical connection of the two, despite their significantly different serial numbers, is confirmed by Westley Richards themselves.
Documented re-barreling

Another interesting piece of information from the Westley Richards records concerns shotgun No. 14543:

It was re-barreled in 1949.

Thus, the later re-barreling of this shotgun is not only suspected based on proof marks or technical features but is documented by the factory records of Westley Richards.
Proof marks and caliber

On the barrel sets, British proof marks and markings can be found, including:

12

Crown / BV

Crown / BP

Crown / NP

NITRO PROOF

2½"

1⅛ oz

CHOKE

The firearms are proofed in caliber 12 with 2½-inch chambers, corresponding to 12/65.

The marking “NITRO PROOF” together with Cro
wn/NP documents a British Nitro proof.

The specification "1⅛ oz" refers to the shot charge of approximately 31.9 grams used for the proof.

The marking "CHOKE" indicates a choke bore present at the time of the respective proof.

For shotgun No. 14543, it is additionally documented by Westley Richards that it was re-barreled in 1949.

Important: The existing chamber length is 2½" or 65 mm. The guns are explicitly offered as 12/65. No approval for modern 12/70 cartridges should be derived from the historical Nitro proof.
Technical Data

Manufacturer: Westley Richards & Co., Birmingham, England

Weapon type: historic pair of English double shotguns / Side-by-Side

Shotgun No. 14543: year of manufacture 1892

Shotgun No. 15447: year of manufacture 1896

Original customer: Mr. E. Mapplebeck

Historical special feature: No. 15447 was expressly made by Westley Richards as a partner gun to No. 14543

Re-barreling: No. 14543 re-barreled in 1949 by Westley Richards

Serial numbers: 14543 and 15447

System: Hammerless Boxlock / Anson & Deeley

Caliber: 12/65 – 12 Bore, 2½"

Proof: British Nitro Proof

Shot charge according to proof: 1⅛ oz / approx. 31.9 g

Barrel length: approx. 71 cm each

Stock length: approx. 35 cm, stock cap to trigger

Overall length: approx. 112 cm each

Triggers: double trigger

Ejectors: Deeley Patent Ejectors

Safety: automatic sliding safety, "SAFE" in gold

Stocking: attractively grained walnut wood

Case: historic Westley-Richards double case with original manufacturer and instruction labels
Condition

Both guns are in remarkably good and well-maintained technical and optical condition considering their age.

The bolts are tight and play-free. Both shotguns close cleanly and firmly. The ejectors work perfectly. There is no rust on the guns.

Particularly noteworthy are the attractive walnut stocks with strong and lively grain. Fish skin checkering, engravings, and the slim proportions give the two shotguns the typical elegance of classic English game guns from the late 19th century.

The serial numbers are present on the corresponding parts and match.

It is also remarkable that the two serial numbers 14543 and 15447 are handwritten on the old documents in the case. This fits into the now confirmed joint history of the two guns by Westley Richards.
Historic Westley-Richards double case

A special highlight of the ensemble is the historic Westley-Richards pair case with green interior.

In the lid are still historic manufacturer and usage labels, including:

"Instructions for Using Westley Richards Hammerless Gun"

as well as

"Instructions for Cleaning Westley Richards & Co.'s Patent Breech Loading Snap Gun"

and the historic Westley-Richards trade label.

According to Westley Richards, it was customary in a case like this to fit both guns together in a double case. Westley Richards therefore considers it likely that this was already done for this pair in 1896.

The case has been restored and re-covered on the outside during its long life. The historic interior including the old Westley-Richards labels is preserved.
A historically documented Westley-Richards pair

What makes this ensemble special is not only its age, manufacturer, and condition but above all its verifiable shared history.

The first shotgun No. 14543 was made in 1892 for Mr. E. Mapplebeck. Four years later, the same customer had a second shotgun made by Westley Richards. No. 15447 was specifically built in 1896 to form a pair with No. 14543.

The first shotgun later returned to Westley Richards and was re-barreled in 1949.

Thus
The history of this ensemble can be traced over a period of more than half a century based on the still available Westley-Richards factory records.

An official Westley Richards Certificate of Authenticity can also be ordered for the firearms through Westley Richards.

The ensemble thus combines two classic English Westley-Richards ejector shotguns, the famous Anson & Deeley system, historical patent markings, British Nitro proof marks, a documented rebarreling, and a historic double case with a manufacturer-confirmed common provenance since 1896.

Sale exclusively as a historically matching pair including case – no single sale.

A rare opportunity for collectors and lovers of classic English hunting firearms with documented Westley-Richards history.
Product safety information: Westley Richards & Co. Ltd
130 Pritchett Street
Birmingham
B6 4EH
England

 
WARNING: Proof of purchase authorization is required to buy this product!!!