Westley Richards - 1848
Westley Richards - 1848 - 14 bore
1848 - 14 bore - Breech-loader - Conversion
An interesting gun, with an heir of quality, an excellent name and the classic lines of a muzzle-loader. After looking closer at this gun a few surprises emerged, one of the biggest reveals being the gun was built in 1848, and originally as a Muzzle loader. The 1848 date, and having the 170 New Bond Street, London address, allows us to consider was this gun at some point in the hands of “The Bishop of Bond Street”, William Bishop, or possibly sold by him from the Bond Street London address.
Thick walled breech ends and heavy gauged extractor - with Muzzle loader barrel wide top rib
After contacting Westley Richards & Co. Steven Harridence, Show Room Manager kindly shared some historical information about this interesting gun, the information bringing this article alive ! This elegant early and well-proportioned sporting game gun with serial number 6955 was located, and entered in the main Westley Richards ledgers, as a double gun, 14g, completed on the 2nd of November 1848. The ledger entry continues with a statement most Westley Richards collectors would be more than happy to see ! The gun was then sold to William Bishop on the 3rd of March 1849.
This important Ledger entry, stating the gun was sold directly to the Westley Richards London Agent, William Bishop, ensures the gun was at some point in the hands of “The Bishop of Bond Street”, and would have been sold by him from the prestigious 170 New Bond Street, London address.
William Bishop is an iconic name, Bishop began his career as a goldsmith in Ealing before becoming the London agent for the Gunmakers Westley Richards around 1815, under William Bishops management, the Bond Street shop evolved into a premier rendezvous point, for government officials, military officers, country squires, and fashionable wealthy sportsmen.
Bishop was well known for never removing his top hat indoors, and for his black swallow-tailed coat with enormous shirt cuffs, and his white apron. Bishop cut a charismatic, almost ecclesiastical figure. George Teasdale-Buckell ( a leading 19th century British shooting-sports author and editor ) described William Bishop as a “truly right reverend and Episcopal figure” whose natural wit and persuasive eloquence made him an unrivalled salesman.
The slight variations in Stock and Forend wood checkering patterns ( Stock original to the gun, the Forend being New )
The gun had been hidden in plain sight for in excess of 175 years. This gun had been converted to Breech loading centre fire, being converted reasonably late during the transition period, had leap-frogged the various ignition systems available during this time, and had been converted directly from Muzzle loader to Centre fire.
New forend Iron work / Cross-pin. The Barrels fitted with a corresponding new forend Loop
Early Twist Damascus Barrels - Match engraved forend finial
The heavy gauge forend knuckle with shaped ends to match the barrel undersides
The gun remains in good condition from each point it has encountered historic work. Westley Richards kindly confirming the gun was completed in 1848 as a 14 bore percussion gun, the serial number 6955 being of the second series. There are a number of parts carrying the serial number, with the overall condition of the parts remaining in excellent order and condition. The gun today clearly identifies itself as a conversion from Muzzle Loader, as the gun can be used with 14 bore cartridges. ( No longer available commercially, the gun meets the UK firearms act section 58 Obsolete calibre criteria - No license required )
The conversion from Muzzle Loader to Breech Loader takes a considerable amount of skill, especially in making sure the finished gun has the classic lines of its contemporaries. The Gunmakers art in this case, is disguising the gun from having had a previous life. This interesting Westley Richards was transformed for use in more modern times through an extensive amount of skilful work, and at considerable cost.
Good quality Locks and Hammers - Hare eared and Dolphin headed hammers
Quality made locks, both serial numbered 6955 for 1848
The transformation for this gun to Breech Loader would have been on the lines of, the removal of the breech plugs, Chambering the breech ends to take cartridges, Fitting extractors, Attaching lumps to the base of the breech ends of the barrels, to accommodate the hook and Jones under lever locking system within the lump, a new action body incorporating the Jones under lever. The original locks were fitted with modified or new hammers. The original stock, trigger block and triggers, trigger guard, heel plate were kept. A new removable for-end, including metal work, wood, and cross pin fastening fitting would have needed to be made.
Wide Muzzle Loader top rib with the - Westley Richards 170 New Bond Street London address
The gun now carries London proof marks for 1868 to 1875, the barrels proofed at 13 bore ( .710 ) and chambered for 14 bore. The measurements for both chambers and barrels are truly excellent, showing no signs of wear, the barrels and chambers are bright, clean and free from any marking, all of which measure as when proofed during the conversion to Breech loader. The barrels have a massive barrel wall thickness at the breech ends, with the minimum thickness twelve inches from the muzzle at 35 thou. in both.
Short Muzzle loader style top Tang Action body.
The maker Westley Richards have always produced quality guns, with the best kept and cared for guns travelling well through the passage of time, this particular gun being almost 180 years old this year is a testament to the maker and all its careful and respectful custodians.
