A Double Barrelled Percussion Pistol by Westley Richards, With sighted barrels retaining some original finish, signed ‘WESTLEY RICHARDS’ along the central rib, engraved breech block, foliate engraved tang cut with a sighting groove, profusely engraved locks fitted with sliding safety catches and fitted with belt hook to the left, full-stocked in walnut, cut with chequering at the grip, shield shaped silver escutcheon, foliate engraved trigger guard, brass tipped ramrod. 

Richards, William Westley & Westley (son) [1812-1872]

William Westley Richards was born in Birmingham, England in 1788 of a family of merchants and silversmiths. In 1812 he established a gunsmiths shop at 82 High Street, Birmingham, selecting his gunsmiths from the already thriving gun trade in Birmingham. His first production was high-grade flintlock fowling pieces. In 1813 he was an active petitioner in establishing the Birmingham Proof House through an act of Parliament. 

He had the foresight to realise that he had to have a London outlet for his firearms, as the London market was by far the largest, and also for possible export trade to the Continent.

He chose the most fashionable quarter of London, a street made famous as the resort of the luxury class to which his guns appealed. The establishment was opened in 1815 at the then numbered 170 Bond Street. 

A. Merwyn Carey (1954) English, Irish and Scottish Firearms Makers, Acro Publishing Company, New York. 

RICHARDS

William Westley Gunmaker, Birmingham from 1812. Retail shop (with William Bishop as agent) 170 New Bond Street.,1826-72; 25 Lawrence Pountney Street., 1853-5. Gunmaker to Prince Albert. Died 1865. Firm then run by son, Westley Richards. 

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. 

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