*WESTLEY RICHARDS 1878 PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE.

Revised: 3/3/2008

(Correction) The catalogue states that this is a modern firearm, however it is not a modern firearm, therefore not subject to BATFE regulations.

*WESTLEY RICHARDS 1878 PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE. Cal. .450 #1 Musket. This very rare and unusual rifle has a 32-1/2″ tapered round bbl with raised Nock form,and a front sight block with spirit level vernier removable front sight. The bbl is marked on the top “Westley Richards”. “178 New Bond Street, London. W.”, “Metford’s Patent Rifling”, and “For Westley Richards Metford Match Rifle Cartridge”. The number 591 is to the left of the Nock form, and there are British black powder proof marks. The charcoal blued action is devoid of decorative engraving, and is marked on the left side “Deeley-Edge-Metford”, “PATENT MATCH RIFLE”. The case hardened under-lever is cranked to the right to facilitate opening. There is an automatic safety lever in front of the trigger. The plain European walnut pistol grip butt stock measures 14-1/8″ over a checkered wood butt. There is a back position vernier sight mounted in a base at the heel. The base is secured by a transverse screw. The stock was originally split in half, and there is a steel reinforcing plate installed for strengthening and stability. The plate is secured by three lateral screws and bolsters. The plain forend is secured to the bbl with a side nail key. The stocks are checkered, in a fairly coarse point pattern. This particular rifle is pictured and described in Jonathan’s Kirton’s The British Falling Block Breach-loading Rifle from 1865 on page 163. And also, in Wal Winfer”s book, The British Single Shot Rifle, Volume IV, (Westley Richards) on page 105. This is undoubtedly the finest example of this particular type of rifle extant. PROVENANCE: Kiser Estate Collection. CONDITION: The bbl was polished bright, and remains so with areas of slight discoloration. The action retains 90% of its charcoal blue, and the under lever retains 90% of its case color. The stocks retain almost all of their original oil finish, and have a few handling marks mostly around the left action area. The checkering shows little wear. The bore is extremely fine with no obvious imperfections. The sights show 80% of their original charcoal blue. A spectacular example. 4-33676 MGM40 (9,000-12,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1016	$8,050.00	Revised: 3/3/2008 (Correction) The catalogue states that this is a modern firearm, however it is not a modern firearm, therefore not subject to BATFE regulations. WESTLEY RICHARDS 1878 PATENT SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE. Cal. .450 #1 Musket. This very rare and unusual rifle has a 32-1/2″ tapered round bbl with raised Nock form,and a front sight block with spirit level vernier removable front sight. The bbl is marked on the top “Westley Richards”. “178 New Bond Street, London. W.”, “Metford’s Patent Rifling”, and “For Westley Richards Metford Match Rifle Cartridge”. The number 591 is to the left of the Nock form, and there are British black powder proof marks. The charcoal blued action is devoid of decorative engraving, and is marked on the left side “Deeley-Edge-Metford”, “PATENT MATCH RIFLE”. The case hardened under-lever is cranked to the right to facilitate opening. There is an automatic safety lever in front of the trigger. The plain European walnut pistol grip butt stock measures 14-1/8″ over a checkered wood butt. There is a back position vernier sight mounted in a base at the heel. The base is secured by a transverse screw. The stock was originally split in half, and there is a steel reinforcing plate installed for strengthening and stability. The plate is secured by three lateral screws and bolsters. The plain forend is secured to the bbl with a side nail key. The stocks are checkered, in a fairly coarse point pattern. This particular rifle is pictured and described in Jonathan’s Kirton’s The British Falling Block Breach-loading Rifle from 1865 on page 163. And also, in Wal Winfer”s book, The British Single Shot Rifle, Volume IV, (Westley Richards) on page 105. This is undoubtedly the finest example of this particular type of rifle extant. PROVENANCE: Kiser Estate Collection. CONDITION: The bbl was polished bright, and remains so with areas of slight discoloration. The action retains 90% of its charcoal blue, and the under lever retains 90% of its case color. The stocks retain almost all of their original oil finish, and have a few handling marks mostly around the left action area. The checkering shows little wear. The bore is extremely fine with no obvious imperfections. The sights show 80% of their original charcoal blue. A spectacular example. 4-33676 MGM40 (9,000-12,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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