Westley Richards _______fowler id & value help

jpc

jpc

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I have been asked to value and possibly sell this gun, but it is out of my area of knowledge.
Would appreciate opinions and verification on what it is. I only have these general pictures and no knowledge of the proof marks it has.
It is 52" overall and his thumb fits in the muzzle (not much of a description)
My main interest is in finding out if it is a Westley Richards or a Belgian copy, or did they just do that with early cartridge guns?
Thanks in advance for your input

jpc

ws2.jpg


ws1.jpg


ws.jpg
 
the Belgians did it to muzzle loaders too, I've seen all kinds of Belgian made cap and ball Colts. im not saying your guns a Belgian fake ....should look it over for Belgian proof marks if you think it might be.
 
I am pretty sure it is a real Westley Richards. Look on the bottom of the barrel at the breach for proof marks. British is a crown over a X more or less and belgium is ELG* in an oval cartouche.
You may also find on the bottom of the barrel a number such as 12, 11 or 10 which refers to the guage but that number may also be a batch number. Bore of a 12 guage is .729 and a 10 guage is .75 roughly
What does catch my eye is that the breach appears to have been put in a vice; perhaps that was only to remove the original nipple. Definitely looks like a desireable gun.

cheers mooncoon
 
mooncoon said:
I am pretty sure it is a real Westley Richards. Look on the bottom of the barrel at the breach for proof marks. British is a crown over a X more or less and belgium is ELG* in an oval cartouche.
You may also find on the bottom of the barrel a number such as 12, 11 or 10 which refers to the guage but that number may also be a batch number. Bore of a 12 guage is .729 and a 10 guage is .75 roughly
What does catch my eye is that the breach appears to have been put in a vice; perhaps that was only to remove the original nipple. Definitely looks like a desireable gun.

cheers mooncoon
Click to expand...

mooncoon--I was wondering about the (vice) 'marks' myself.
Any feel for value?

Thanks
jpc
 
I would say it is a genuine Westley Richards. The shape of the lock plate and hammer are correct, and the Belgian copies tended to use names like "W. Richards" rather than blatantly copy the full registered trademark. Still, there should be proof marks on the barrel.


Sharptail
 
No doubt it is a genuine Westley Richards...or is it? They used a triangle as a trademark at some point along with their name. Proof marks could give some info. It appears to be a P1853 percussion lock which would also lend some value to its being a genuine WR. I assume there is no rifling? If the breech is numbered "25" it will be a very common .577" caliber. If it is smoothbore, which I suspect, it will probably be .64" or .69" fowler. Nice piece. Dave
 
Sharptail said:
I would say it is a genuine Westley Richards. The shape of the lock plate and hammer are correct, and the Belgian copies tended to use names like "W. Richards" rather than blatantly copy the full registered trademark. Still, there should be proof marks on the barrel.


Sharptail
Click to expand...

Thanks Sharptail

jpc
 
Im not a expert on antique values by any strech so pardon me sir.

I wouldnt take a cent less then 450$ if the stock is solid, bore is good and the nipple is able to be removed.

It is a beautiful fowler!


Added after post- Well theres a fowler of similar pattern being offered on the ee for 550 I believe, compare the condition and see if that one sells.
 
Hello CGN'ers

All information received was helpful greatly appreciated.
The WR is no longer up for consideration.
Things may change and if they do, I will post it.

Take care

jpc
 
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