Westley Richards Droplock 500

02 November 2016, 12:02

Just a couple of photos of my WR finally getting close to finished!! Its been 3 years since the order and deposit put down.
Ive been to the factory twice during the build to pick out the wood, get measured up, discuss the case etc etc.

its being regulated this month, then engraved, then case colour hardened .

Looks like it will be ready Feb. next year , so need an ele hunt for the christening!!

Enjoy

.500_zpsibqujepq.jpg[/IMG]

02 November 2016, 12:36

ozhunter

Perfect mate! Did they say what the weight would add up to?

02 November 2016, 12:57

nickh

Weight is just under 11lbs as was contracted!

its got the 26 " barrels and extended top and bottom tangs. The Stock blank was quite "dense" as well, so I'm pretty well stoked!!!

They are regulating it using the Federal Premiums with the 570 grain Woodleigh Hydros,
so should be easy to replicate the reg. load down under!!

cheers

Nick

02 November 2016, 13:24

ozhunter

Mate, 1/4 pound ether side of 11 and your in the business

02 November 2016, 13:31

Rockdoc

Wow, looks great!

Beautiful stock.

Congratulations.

02 November 2016, 13:53

Rigby350

Amazing double, can't wait to see it all dressed up.

02 November 2016, 13:54

nickh

Thanks Rockdoc!!
Im very happy with the blank that i chose in the end. Cant wait to see it after the oil finish, it will be almost too pretty to take on safari !!!!

I did spend a fair part of the morning at the factory assessing the many blanks they had . Trigger the Gun Room manager was of great assistance in this department, and all aspects to be honest.

Absolute first rate service and experience so far, except for the bloody long wait!!!

cheers

Nick

02 November 2016, 13:56

husky

Fantastic rifle!

British and Best.

02 November 2016, 13:57

nickh

It may well come on our Cape barren goose shoot next year Harry!!
I did promise your brother George the first shot though......

Nick

02 November 2016, 14:54

Rigby350

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nickh:
It may well come on our Cape barren goose shoot next year Harry!!
I did promise your brother George the first shot though......

Nick[/QUOTE

If it's ready it's coming with us, George will be super excited.

02 November 2016, 15:22

Rusty

Beautiful!

Rusty
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02 November 2016, 15:55

sambarman338

Looks good. Is the contrasting fore-end cap usual? There was one on my old Greener shotgun but I haven't noticed many others.

02 November 2016, 16:01

nickh

Sambarman,
It's definitely on most of the high end doubles that I've seen from WR.
I really believe that WR capture those classic lines/splinter forend better than anyone else. Period.....

Cheers

Nick

02 November 2016, 16:07

degoins

Perfection!!
Thanks for sharing.

02 November 2016, 18:30

cal pappas

Nothing finer!!
Cal

_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
1994 Zimbabwe
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1998 Zimbabwe
1999 Zimbabwe
1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation
2000 Australia
2002 South Africa
2003 South Africa
2003 Zimbabwe
2005 South Africa
2005 Zimbabwe
2006 Tanzania
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2008 Zimbabwe
2012 Australia
2013 South Africa
2013 Zimbabwe
2013 Australia
2016 Zimbabwe
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
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2019 South Africa
2019 Botswana
2019 Zimbabwe vacation
2021 South Africa
2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later)
______________________________

02 November 2016, 18:31

Dutch44

Gorgeous! You will be proud of this one.

02 November 2016, 19:35

Colin Masters

Besides some of the jarring deep relief engraving westley Richards makes the most beautiful rifles in the world. If you don't follow their Explora blog you are missing out. Congrats! Does the rifle come with an extra set of locks?

02 November 2016, 23:54

MJines

Very jealous Mate.

03 November 2016, 00:18

boom stick

What made you chose WR over Purdey?

03 November 2016, 00:33

Sergeant

Envy is a sin. I have sinned. OUTSTANDING!

03 November 2016, 00:39

LHeym500

Please, every time you make a memory with her share it with us.
That it is an exceptional piece is an understatement. I would love to hear and read what is said and written about her 100 years from know.

03 November 2016, 03:00

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by nickh:

I really believe that WR capture those classic lines/splinter forend better than anyone else. Period.....

Cheers

Nick

03 November 2016, 04:50

nickh

Thanks Guys for all the positive comments.

Boom stick, when i first started the process of getting an English Double made, i of course went and visited the "Big 3" Purdey , H&H and WR.

Being a Purdey owner { shotgun} i would have thought they would have perhaps been interested in discussing a new rifle.
To cut a long story short , they screwed me around and showed me little respect when i visited them at the store.And they new i had travelled from Australia to do this!!

H&H similarly weren't really that interested, were keener on selling me clothing than talking rifle.

WR on the other hand welcomed me and my entire shooting party with open arms.We spent half a day at the factory, Trigger showed me all through the facility, and the experience and seeing the guns being made by the master gunsmiths
made my decision very easy!!!

IMO, Westley are the Double rifle experts in the Modern era of English gunmaking.

Purdey and Holland are owned by retail conglomerates and the passion just didn't seem to be there.

I am not a fan of the new age Hollands at all.
Purdey's do make a great rifle, if you could ever get through the pompous BS i encountered.

cheers

Nick

03 November 2016, 04:55

boom stick

Thank you for the eye opening reply

03 November 2016, 05:26

Huvius

quote:
...Westley are the Double rifle experts in the Modern era of English gunmaking.

Purdey and Holland are owned by retail conglomerates and the passion just didn't seem to be there.

Well said! You definitely made the right choice.
That is going to be one fantastic rifle!

03 November 2016, 09:05

sambarman338

quote:

IMO, Westley are the Double rifle experts in the Modern era of English gunmaking.

I get the feeling they at least take top fasteners seriously.

04 November 2016, 12:58

nickh

The Guys at WR love doing the double rifles!

But I can tell you the takedown bolt rifles
they do are also quite sensational!

Would love to have a 425 bolt action in my battery!

Cheers

Nick

04 November 2016, 18:33

shootaway

Nice rifle Nick.I like the wood.I think it could have used a little more drop at the comb.

04 November 2016, 19:27

DoubleDon

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
Nice rifle Nick.I like the wood.I think it could have used a little more drop at the comb.

What a stupid/ignorant statement! The gun was made to fit Nick. Not some spermy little shit from Queerbeck

05 November 2016, 16:58

Rhodes

Nickh

Thank you for bringing another classic British Double into the world...and sharing it with us.

05 November 2016, 18:44

Heym 450/400

Can't wait to see it once completed...thanks for sharing.

06 November 2016, 14:16

fairgame

A classic beauty. Simply exquisite.

06 November 2016, 15:31

ozhunter

Whilst only a restored box Lock, Westley Richards are indeed exquisite double rifles.

06 November 2016, 19:48

fairgame

quote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
Whilst only a restored box Lock, Westley Richards are indeed exquisite double rifles.

Only.

If I only owned one.

06 November 2016, 19:59

shootaway

OZhunter,your stock guy knows what he is doing.Send him my compliments.

06 November 2016, 23:10

The Norwegian

Nick,

would love to visit WR when you are picking up the rifle !

Then I might be allowed to hold this ugly piece of shit

Morten

07 November 2016, 01:26

Zephyr

Congrats..... cannot wait to see the final product.
Perchance did you have an extra set of locks made?

07 November 2016, 09:41

BaxterB

quote:
Originally posted by nickh:
Thanks Guys for all the positive comments.

Boom stick, when i first started the process of getting an English Double made, i of course went and visited the "Big 3" Purdey , H&H and WR.

Being a Purdey owner { shotgun} i would have thought they would have perhaps been interested in discussing a new rifle.
To cut a long story short , they screwed me around and showed me little respect when i visited them at the store.And they new i had travelled from Australia to do this!!

H&H similarly weren't really that interested, were keener on selling me clothing than talking rifle.

WR on the other hand welcomed me and my entire shooting party with open arms.We spent half a day at the factory, Trigger showed me all through the facility, and the experience and seeing the guns being made by the master gunsmiths
made my decision very easy!!!

IMO, Westley are the Double rifle experts in the Modern era of English gunmaking.

Purdey and Holland are owned by retail conglomerates and the passion just didn't seem to be there.

I am not a fan of the new age Hollands at all.
Purdey's do make a great rifle, if you could ever get through the pompous BS i encountered.

cheers

Nick

I can't say I've ever heard a more succinct description of the Big 3. IF you follow Purdey or H&H on Instagram you might never know they built guns - not so with WR. WR even took the time to speak with me about an idea I had for a complicated but elegant (IMHO) grip cap design. Ultimately weren't interested, but they were happy to chat about ideas from a random guy, which was refreshing. They would be my choice if I were in your position. Enjoy your rifle.

07 November 2016, 10:05

cal pappas

Wood gives me wood.
Engraving is made by man, grain is made by the Almighty.
Absolutely stunning!!!
Cal