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Value on Westley Richards Cape Gun

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31 May 2015, 18:35
WannabeBwana
Value on Westley Richards Cape Gun
Hammerless, Damascus barrels (not pitted), clean but well used.

Looks like 450 Express/12 ga.

Ser. #4XX

Looks almost identical to this gun, including long range sights, but hammerless.

Any ideas what the value is?
31 May 2015, 23:54
WannabeBwana
Got this home and took some pictures.



Anson and Deeley Patent 12 action



Proof marks


01 June 2015, 04:09
cal pappas
Impossible to tell without clear hi res pics. From what is here--500-5000$ is a huge ballpark.
Cal


_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
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1994 Zimbabwe
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______________________________
02 June 2015, 17:41
WannabeBwana
Thanks Cal, realized that after I asked. This is what I got from WR:

Westley Richards #K4XX

Double barrel 12g x .450 No.2 Musket

1/2 pistol stock with a 14 1/2" length of pull

Completed on 30th April 1903 and was built for H.S. Smith Esquire, London

There are no cracks in the stock, barrels are very clean with no pitting and over-all I'd put it at about 90%.

Frankly, I was as much interested in finding out the cartridge size, which I now know and can go from there.

Was the shotgun barrel intended for slugs?

Doubtful I'll have it ready in time but this thing just might accompany me on a bear hunt at the beginning of Sept.
03 June 2015, 17:18
WannabeBwana
Pics!!!












03 June 2015, 20:02
PSmith
By golly those Damascus barrels are beautiful.


Paul Smith
SCI Life Member
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I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery
I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas"

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04 June 2015, 06:34
ron vella
I believe that this is the gun that I handled at the Markham Gun Show last Sunday. The shotgun barrel appeared to have been honed. I'd check wall thickness before shooting it.
04 June 2015, 19:41
MacD37
quote:
Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
Hammerless, Damascus barrels (not pitted), clean but well used.

Looks like 450 Express/12 ga.

Ser. #4XX

Looks almost identical to this gun, including long range sights, but hammerless.

Any ideas what the value is?


quote:
Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
Pics!!!







Nice cape gun and made by my favorite maker!
Unless the pictures were somehow reversed, one thing I noticed from pictures 1 & 3 this gun was made for a left handed shooter from the trigger configuration. I have a cape gun about the same age but it is a German V.Haffner made in 1892 and is a 20ga on the left and 58 Berdan carbine on the right barrel and is also Damascus.

.................................................................. tu2


....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

04 June 2015, 20:10
WannabeBwana
You're right, Mac. The front trigger fires the left (rifle) barrel. Though I didn't notice any cast in the stock which would impede a righty and there's no cheekpad.
08 June 2015, 17:45
WannabeBwana
Per Nick Makinson, the shotgun barrel is fine. He also confirmed it is actually a right-hand gun, despite the trigger configuration.