Thank yall for the info. For the price I paid, It didn’t need to be real or shootable. But I think it’s both. If she checks out safe with a smith I’m gonna hunt something with it next year.
First of all this is not a Westley Richards gun. It's not a knock off either.
It is a William Henry Richards, 27 Oldhall St, Liverpool circa 1878-1894, ref Nigel Brown, British Gunmakers Volume Two - Birmingham, Scotland & the Regions, pg 317.
Damasacus-twist-mandrel wound-pattern welded barrels. Safe to Shoot? Maybe, maybe not.
XRay inspection is the best way to check the barrels for inclusions. Magnaflux will identify surface cracks only. Inclusions are the danger in these type barrels.
I would be more concerned about action lock up. Without looking at the gun in person, I can not see how it locks up. There is no birds head for top lock up.
You can check to see if it is off face, by pulling down on the barrels an see if the gaps between barrel and action widen. Not good if there are gaps, especially ones the widen.
As to hammers. Agree the left may be a replacement. Something is up with the right hammer also, it doesn't align with firing pin very well. It may be bent. But there is somethin else about the hammer that says this not a good quality gun. The checkering is very poor quality.
This gun with out the inspection of a very knowledgeable Double Rifle person, is a gun to pass on.
I agree whole heartedly with AHall, as usual he knows what he is talking about. Listen to him.
You might find better help at https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1&page=1
It is a William Henry Richards, 27 Oldhall St, Liverpool circa 1878-1894, ref Nigel Brown, British Gunmakers Volume Two - Birmingham, Scotland & the Regions, pg 317.
Damasacus-twist-mandrel wound-pattern welded barrels. Safe to Shoot? Maybe, maybe not.
XRay inspection is the best way to check the barrels for inclusions. Magnaflux will identify surface cracks only. Inclusions are the danger in these type barrels.
I would be more concerned about action lock up. Without looking at the gun in person, I can not see how it locks up. There is no birds head for top lock up.
You can check to see if it is off face, by pulling down on the barrels an see if the gaps between barrel and action widen. Not good if there are gaps, especially ones the widen.
As to hammers. Agree the left may be a replacement. Something is up with the right hammer also, it doesn't align with firing pin very well. It may be bent. But there is somethin else about the hammer that says this not a good quality gun. The checkering is very poor quality.
This gun with out the inspection of a very knowledgeable Double Rifle person, is a gun to pass on.
I agree whole heartedly with AHall, as usual he knows what he is talking about. Listen to him.
You might find better help at https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1&page=1
That is good to know! Thank you! It sounds like proving this gun is safe to fire will cost more than the gun. Maybe this one will go on the wall. I guess i'll just have to adopt another old gun to shoot things with.
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