Thread: Help with a shotgun! One for the experts

So which is the serial num?

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

Attachment 62484

Looking at images for others the serial number seems to be on the metal behind the trigger guard.

http://josephsvintageguns.com/gun-details.asp?gun=285

Hi F

Your Westley Richards gun (serial number 6984) was made (and Birmingham prooved) circa 1890, and then the gun (and original barrels) was re-proved at the Birmingham Proof House during the 1925 - 1954 period. The R with a crown is the re-proof mark and the block letter stamps and Nitro Proof, 2-1/2", 1-1/8 oz marks were applied at this time. This gun was 10,817th gun made under Anson & Deeley's patent boxlock design which was first introduced by Westley Richards in 1875. There were two distinct Deeley's patent ejector systems (1884 & 1886) and I would think your gun has the latter system as it was the 2082nd gun made with those ejectors.

I am speculating now but I would expect the gun was brought back to NZ by a farmer's son returning from his big OE in the 1920's. Well-heeled farming families were well known for sending their sons away to Great Britian to further their education during this time, and most were instructed by their fathers to 'bring me back a good gun'. I have encountered many such good quality English guns that came to NZ this way during those years. Of course, the practice was also popular during the 1950's and good used guns were very cheap at that time.

The family crest with the crowned dragon is worthy of further research, possibly a Welsh family. Large public libraries often have very comprehensive books listing all UK family crests.

The gun appears to have done a good bit of work and I would not be able to comment on its current safety without a personal examination.

Originally Posted by muzza

appears to be chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells , not the modern 2 3/4 inch version

That would be right for the date it was made 2 inch were also made.

If you shut the gun and hold it up side ways against a light and you see a light between the barrels and the action. Then this would mean that it is off the faces. Which would hazard a guess mean that it would need some work by a good gun smith to bring it back onto the face.
Ps don't use 70mm cartages in it ah