Very Best Custom Rifle - Westley Richards Farquharson / Griffin & Howe / Leonard Mews

Its my pleasure to present this recently acquired rifle - This is the very best custom rifle in my collection.

220 SWIFT - WESTLEY RICHARDS FARQUHARSON / GRIFFIN & HOWE / LEONARD MEWS CUSTOM SINGLE SHOT

I've been collecting custom rifles made by Leonard Mews for OVER 40 years. This rifle makes number 21.

Leonard was a personal friend and a member of our local gun club.

I believe he is one of the very best stock-makers - EVER !

For those unfamiliar with Leonard, early in his career he worked for Roy Weatherby. Later he worked on his own, and turned out dozens of Masterpieces. His works were shown in many of the Gun Digest's "Custom Guns" section, from the 1960s - 1980s.

Here's a short introduction to Leonard Mews, - before I show-off my latest treasure.











And here's my treasure.

"Best Quality" Engraved Westley Richards Farquharson New Model 1897 / Griffin & Howe, built by Leonard Mews.

220 Swift caliber
9 pounds 12 ounces with scope
25-1/2" Medium/Heavy weight barrel w/ accent Engraving
13-3/8" LOP
Presentation California Claro Black Walnut Stock
Shadow Outlined Cheek Piece
Round Rosewood Forend Tip
Signature Scalloped Rosewood Grip Cap with Raised Ivory Diamond inlay
Skip-Line "Rocket" pattern grip checkering
Skip-Line "Lightning" pattern Forearm checkering
Skip-Line "Shield" pattern Cheeks
Koshollek Checkered Steel Widow's Peak curved Butt Plate
Unertl 12x 1-1/2 Target Scope





























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Pictures like that make me wish I had put on a bib.
But please, don't stop posting them just because they make me drool!
I've been to the WR factory, and came away feeling that they did not make guns, they created masterpieces.

hi, helmut...beautiful rifle....i'm lucky enough to have gathered up 5 different westleys over the years...but, the combntaion of all the parts and mr. mew's skills have really created a masterpiece....john

quote:

Originally posted by rikkochet:
Pictures like that make me wish I had put on a bib.
But please, don't stop posting them just because they make me drool!
I've been to the WR factory, and came away feeling that they did not make guns, they created masterpieces.

Hello rikkochet,
Thanks for the reply.

I really like vintage Westley Rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by john waugh:
hi, helmut...beautiful rifle....i'm lucky enough to have gathered up 5 different westleys over the years...but, the combntaion of all the parts and mr. mew's skills have really created a masterpiece....john

Hello john waugh,
Thanks for the reply.

I also have 5 Vintage Westley Richards rifles. Besides this one, I have 4 others. A 577-500 No. 2 Double, a 375 2-1/2 NE Double, a 500-450 Fields Patent Single, and a Westley Richards / Martini take-down 300 Sherwood Rook rifle.

But this is my "first" Vintage Farquharson. The fact that it was Griffin & Howe and a Leonard Mews Custom, is a fantastic triple-header bonus.

Oh, I also have my Ruger 600JDJ Single, but that's only a modern copy of the Farquharson.

Not my style, but truly amazing by any measure. Congrats!

Dated, but outstanding example. Truly a rifle to be very proud and to be the custodian for future generations

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Not my style, but truly amazing by any measure. Congrats!

Hello Michael Robinson,
Thganks for the reply.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Dated, but outstanding example. Truly a rifle to be very proud and to be the custodian for future generations

Hello Duane Wiebe,
Thanks for the reply.

Research has found that the rifle was being built during 1953 for Dr. Russel C. Smith. It is not known when the rifle was finally completed.



2/17/221 **** update ****

Today I received a Factory letter from Westley Richards.
It didn't contain any detailed info, but did confirm the rifle as an Original Westley Richards
product.

research continues .....