This is a wonderful example. With beautiful perfectly struck 30" steel barrels, perfectly executed scroll engraving, and a stunning piece of English walnut this true Scottish round action meets the hard to find balance between art and function.

Yes, she is in proof, tight on face, field ready!

Weighing less than some English 2" guns this gun balances extremely well with a very lively feeling between the hands. The case color is near 90%, the wood finish 90%, the barrel black 80%.

This gun has its original case and hang tag which interestingly enough mentions that the gun was tested with American ammunition. Sold to an American? The original case shows considerable wear but the gun also comes with a Huey style oak & leather case with French fitted tools making an extremely attractive package and a seriously sound investment.

If you are unfamiliar with the Westley droplock it is the flag ship of the Westley history and line of guns. It is the most simple and well designed double with hand detachable locks. One only has to push a button and then pull the locks out. Nothing to unscrew like on the Holland royal guns.

“A Westley Richards firearm is a piece of art...a masterpiece of the gunmaker's craft.”Robin Hurt, Professional hunter, 2015

What I really appreciate about this gun is that after 130 years the gun is tight on face and features relatively modern stock dimensions making it infinitely shootable.

To sum it up this is a wonderful gun in excellent condition that is not only a rare and collectable find but an excellent gun one would not hesitate to use in the field.

So, despite the safety, I still shoot, promote and get excited about these guns as they are worth having, shooting and appreciating due to their great balanced round action and features. This grade and higher feature a rising bite third fastener similar to the coveted Rigby rising third bite. The pull back lever behind the trigger guard opens the gun and is extremely ergonomic. It is out of the way and very easy to operate.

The full choke in the left with cylinder in the right is a common English choking and was effective in driven shooting. If one opens the left barrel to a light modified and leave the right barrel as is this gun would be a fabulous upland bird shotgun. We can arrange for this and the cost is only $70.

The extra full chokes would make this great for turkey hunting or allows one for only $70.00 per barrel open the chokes to any desired amount.

Note that this has the classic and attractive Churchill rib.

If some one could use a 14 3/8" LOP we could remove the current pads and put a nice new "Old English" or leather covered pad on the gun which would look very nice.

Of the early Westley guns I like this model as it has the elegance of the early guns but features the Purdey double under bite. Guns before this often only had one or no bites on the under lug which was not near as strong as the design on this gun.

*Note the super dimensions on this Watson Brothers boxlock.

The original proof marks are 3" for a 1 1/2" load and it was recently reproofed for 2 3/4" which I know makes no sense. Consulting with proof experts, we believe that the gun is out of the original proof in the right barrel by only one thousandths so it was resubmitted for new proof and the proof house screwed up and marked it for 2 3/4" instead of 3" accidentally. Proof house employees are government employees who are human just like the rest of us and make mistakes. The thing too remember is this is a very strong gun!

I detect and old stock repair in the wrist that has been expertly done and reinforced with an extended top tang. It was so well done it was only because of the extended tang that I was able to figure it out as it is virtually impossible to see without magnification and in just the right light.

The only real negative about this shotgun is she is plain as Jane next door but what do you want for only $1000?

This gun is tight on face and field ready.

There is some light pitting in the bores which could be removed but if it were me I would take this light lady afield just as she is and enjoy her doing what she does best.

We can open up the right barrel to IC or less for only $75.00 to make a great combination.

.016 left and .003 right is my favorite combo!

William Richards, often confused with Westley Richards, was a well established and respected gun maker in Liverpool who opened his business in 1780. My research shows the business under that name was open to at least 1996. That is 216 years!

We have had many Linsley shotguns over the years and they were all very well made. This is an excellent example. I find the 5 lbs. 10 oz. weight just right for a 20g as some that are near five pounds are just to whippy and easy to stop the gun so they don't handle well. This gun handles super and she is tight on face and field ready.

Don't be deterred by the Cylinder open choking. I use a gun like this for all my grouse and quail hunting and since I have done that I have put way more birds in the bag.

Light and balanced well this would make a great gun for a shorter, fairer, or younger shot with its 13 5/8" LOP. This gun was sleeved by famous Birmingham gunmakers Westley Richards and they did an excellent job.