A Cased 12 Bore Howdah Pistol by Westley Richards, No. 611.
A Cased 12 Bore Howdah Pistol by Westley Richards, No. 611. With browned twist sighted barrels singed in full along the rib, border engraved breeches decorated with a scallop shell between and each with pierced platinum plug, case-hardened tang engraved with scrolling foliage, signed border engraved case-hardened flat locks and dolphins hammers all decorated with scrolling foliage, engraved safety catches, figured walnut full stock with chequered rounded butt, border engraved trigger guard and decorated with scrolling foliage, vacant silver escutcheon and barrel bolt escutcheons, stirrup ramrod: in its original lined and fitted mahogany case, the lid with trade label incorporating royal warrant inscription, ‘To HIs Royal Highness Prince Albert’, and with some accessories including powder flask and wadding.
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.
Dimensions:
Bore: 12 Bore
Barrel Length: 6 Inches (15.24 cm)
Overall Length: 12 Inches (30.48 cm)
Out of stock
