Westley Richards hammer fired 16ga SxS

[AER244]

Do any of you all know anything about old Westley Richards shotguns? I just stumbled across this one and am considering buying it. The barrel looks to be heavily patinated Damascus? The gentleman selling it said he thought it was modern ammo safe, but I have my doubts. Any information is appreciated.

 

[WoodsCraft]

Its generally not considered safe to use smokeless loads , before I shot the old gun even with black powder I would take it to a knowledgeable smith who can inspect the bores for pitting and make sure there is no kind of delaminations .

 

[mtngunr]

Ditto on looking for fissures in bore, but WR used no second rate Belgian damascus and knew what they were about. Folk in the UK continue to successfully submit quality damascus for proof testing, and if mirror bores and chambers I'd shoot it without hesitation. Be aware it was chambered for brass and paper shells using a brass crimp or paper roll crimp, and likely not room for modern plastic stab crimp to unfurl without intruding into throat, partially blocking and raising pressures, and so chamber would likely (if not done already) need lengthening for plastic shells, and shoot loads truly equiv to BP pressure...and, of course, ZERO steel.
Be sure to tap upper/lower ribs listening for dead/loose spots.
Nice old guns can also be a money sucking black hole if stock head oil soaked and crumbling under locks and around tang out of sight. If you don't know what your are doing, best to pass. You might check for smokeless proof marks if considering modern shells.