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A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOLDEN AGE WESTLEY RICHARDS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOLDEN AGE WESTLEY RICHARDS

"OVUNDO" O/U SHOTGUN WITH DOUBLE TRIGGERS, HAND DETACHABLE LOCKS & ORNAMENTAL SIDE PLATES. Cal. 12 Ga. S# 18477 (1933). Bbls. 30" Demi-bloc, fitted with narrow swamped game rib engraved "Westley Richards 23 Conduit St. London Gun Makers by Appointment to HM King" "OVUNDO". Ejector and locking bosses engraved with interlocking ribbon design and some large shaded scroll. Side rib where covered by forend is engraved "Ovundo System Regd No 35-4045 / 1913". Barrel flats stamped with Birmingham Nitro proofs for 2 3/4" chambers and "CHOKE". Case hardened lowered profile O/U action with automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold) utilizes Westley Richards classic sliding bolt principle to engage locking surfaces on barrels without Purdey style bolt. Barrels still pivot below bottom barrel in traditional fashion. Action fitted with hand detachable locks (patent use # 3861). Locks are engine turned, marked for right and left, but are not stamped with use number. Locks are housed under hinged floorplate. Action and decorative sideplates are engraved with near full coverage, very bold, well cut, scrolling acanthus that is nicely shaded. "Westley Richards" is in rectangular device on each side. Top of action engraved "Westley Richards" "Ejector" in front of top lever pivot. Matching engraving is on blued top lever, trigger guard and floorplate which is also engraved "Westley Richards" "Patent" "Ovundo". S# is on trigger guard tang. Straight grip buttstock of superb, nicely veined and dramatically flame figured, European walnut & measures 15" over black "Decelerator" pad. Stock features drop points, closely spaced point pattern checkering with mullered borders wrapping under grip and large gold oval on toeline engraved w/ monogram "PEM". Matching splinter ejector forend w/ horn tip has Deeley release. MEASUREMENTS: BARRELS: bore diameter: over .737", under .738". Restriction: over .032" (Full), under .030" (Full). Min. Wall Thickness: over .030", under .031", STOCKS: LOP: 15". DAC: 1 3/16"-. DAH: 1 3/4"+. 1/4" Cast off. WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 12 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 1st Edition (1906) of "Modern Sporting Gunnery" by Henry Sharp, which has a picture of Westley Richards hand detachable lock on cover and pictures many Westley Richards shotguns and rifles. CONDITION: very fine. Barrels retaining nearly all of what appears to be a best reblack. Action and lockplates retaining 50% - 60% original case hardening color, silvering on bottom beads and tails of sideplates. Secondary blued parts retain nearly all a very sympathetic reblue. Buttstock retains with nearly all hand rubbed newer oil finish mostly likely applied with installation of new pad. Forend does not appear to have been refinished. Checkering somewhat worn and dark. Bores are very fine without any noted problems or repairs. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Mechanically good. Given its choking and stock dimensions, it is likely that this fine gun found use in the Pigeon ring or Trap field. (21-2444/MGM). CURIO. $16,000-24,000.