A Crisp Pair of Belt Pistols by W. Richards.
A Crisp Pair of 14-Bore Percussion Belt Pistols by W. Richards. With sighted octagonal barrels, signed ‘W. Richards London.’, foliate engraved breech blocks with platinum vents and line. Foliate engraved tangs fitted with rear-sights. Signed locks, fitted with safety catches and decorated with scrolling foliage, the cock decorated en suite (one has an old repair to the spur). Full-stocked in walnut, cut with deep chequering at the grips. Engraved steel trigger guards, decorated with scrolling foliage on the bow, engraved ramrod pipes, fitted with captive ramrods. In good clean order retaining much original finish.
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.
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