I live quite close to G&H, if someone wants me to take a gander at it for them. I'm not a DR expert by any means, but Paul Chapman there will give me the straight scoop on it.

Seen that, looks like nice.

Did a child engrave it?

Engraving looks the same as a couple of Jefferies I've seen. Contract engraver?

Dave

Is my eyesight failing, or have the barrels shrunk?
There seems to be a step down between the standing breech face and the tubes.

I’ve seen a few old W/Rs with engraving like that. The Hemingway 577 has similar. Frankly, I like it because it’s indicative of an era and an aesthetic that existed at the time. To me it’s different than the really weird stuff that Rigby puts out that is supposed to be life-like but where the lions look like they are either talking or chewing gum.

Unfortunately that rifle is a rusted out, clap trap. It’s got some major issues. Basically you’d be buying an $8000 dollar rifle that has a gratis $10k added to it because it says Westley Richards on the barrel. You’d never be money ahead on that rifle.

Much of the engraving of that era is like this rifle. The animals look like the engraver's kid did the work. At the time the engravers used drawings from many of the explorer's books and the author was not much of an artist. So, while the rose and scroll are amazing, the animals are not so great. I've had my .600 Wilkes for a dozen years and still don't know what animal is on the left of the receiver.

The step down to the barrels is not common but not unheard of, either. I would guess the barrels were mated to a receiver that was on hand but a bit bigger than needed so to save weight barrels of the correct diameter were put on. I've seen this prior, it's out there, and not a reason not to buy.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Unfortunately that rifle is a rusted out, clap trap. It’s got some major issues. Basically you’d be buying an $8000 dollar rifle that has a gratis $10k added to it because it says Westley Richards on the barrel. You’d never be money ahead on that rifle.

Just for my education, what issues do you see at first glance?

BTW check out gunbroker,some English guns just came up.

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Unfortunately that rifle is a rusted out, clap trap. It’s got some major issues. Basically you’d be buying an $8000 dollar rifle that has a gratis $10k added to it because it says Westley Richards on the barrel. You’d never be money ahead on that rifle.

Just for my education, what issues do you see at first glance?

Rust and pitting of unknown depth throughout. The right side of the the trigger guard has a deep deformation it looks like a pretty deep dent. As you move aft to the pistol grip the screws are completely jacked up and as you move up to the pistol grip there is a deformation in the metal. It looks like the rifle has suffered some pretty bad abuse.

The gun needs enough work that I think you’d be money behind no matter what.

It certainly looks rough.

What is funny is that griffin and Howe has this great reputation, but this is the second double I though was cosmetically disadvantaged. The other was an army&navy .450. It sold, but was prices at $13,900.

The WR name carries a lot of weight. Someone will buy it. But if you just want a shooter you can do better for that money.

quote:

Originally posted by rikkochet:
Is my eyesight failing, or have the barrels shrunk?
There seems to be a step down between the standing breech face and the tubes.

I see what you mean! I would say this rifle has had new barrels installed at some time in the past. The saddle on the bottom of the barrels at the breach also doesn't match the raised portion around the breach either.

I would look this thing over very carefully before buying it, and though my favorite maker is Westley Richards IMO, this rifle is suspect, and not worth 18K.

........................Just my opinion, and not something anyone here is required to agree with!

..................................................................... Mac