Marked W. Richards, to capitalize on the British maker Westley Richards name. W. Richards was a house brand name for inexpensive Belgian made shotguns imported by H & D Folsom Arms Co., 312-14 Broadway, New York. This firm opened in 1890, thus this muzzle loading shotgun was made after the advent of the breech loading shotgun, for sale to small hardware or general stores. The left hand barrel nipple is broken off on this example. Trigger reach is 14-1/4" to comfortably fit a taller than average size shooter. Weight is a modest 7.2 pounds.
Stocked in European walnut, with iron furniture, and a checkered wrist the stock appears to have been refinished. This antique double barrel shotgun has Damascus twist barrels marked Laminated Steel with Belgian proof marks under the breech end. The twist barrels are 28" long. The exterior has a dark brown color, with the twist pattern only visible on the bottom of the breech end of the barrel. The barrels are nominally 11 gauge, or .75 caliber. Both bores are dark with numerous pits visible. The ramrod catch below the barrels appears to be made from solder on this example.
The stock is fitted with a comfortable wide flat steel shotgun buttplate, which was designed to spread the recoil when shooting full loads. The pistol grip wrist is checkered. The single wedge key retains the barrel, entering from the left side and is captured to the stock. Silver oval inlays surround the wedge key. The long tang of the breech extends down the wrist to maximize the strength. Firm thumb pressure will remove the wedge key. Remove the key and ramrod, then lift the muzzle end, to unhook the barrels and plugs from the tang. Cleaning was made to be easy, with the English style hooked breech. The ramrod is missing the rear reversible worm, so it currently too short for the barrels.
Each back action lock is marked W. RICHARDS on the lock plate. The locks, hammers, and tang were once burnished bright, now turning a speckled gray patina. The left hand lock sits slightly forward of the right hand hammer when viewed from above. The left hand half cock notch can be over-powered by a strong trigger pull. The nipple on the left hand barrel is broken, and only the base remains. It appears to be well rusted in place. We did not attempt to dismount either nipple.
A very late period percussion shotgun for display, or restoration. If this gun was restored to service. Never load modern steel shot into any antique shotgun. Use lead shot, where legal. Use non-toxic bismuth shot, when required for hunting waterfowl.
Stocked in European walnut, with iron furniture, and a checkered wrist the stock appears to have been refinished. This antique double barrel shotgun has Damascus twist barrels marked Laminated Steel with Belgian proof marks under the breech end. The twist barrels are 28" long. The exterior has a dark brown color, with the twist pattern only visible on the bottom of the breech end of the barrel. The barrels are nominally 11 gauge, or .75 caliber. Both bores are dark with numerous pits visible. The ramrod catch below the barrels appears to be made from solder on this example.
The stock is fitted with a comfortable wide flat steel shotgun buttplate, which was designed to spread the recoil when shooting full loads. The pistol grip wrist is checkered. The single wedge key retains the barrel, entering from the left side and is captured to the stock. Silver oval inlays surround the wedge key. The long tang of the breech extends down the wrist to maximize the strength. Firm thumb pressure will remove the wedge key. Remove the key and ramrod, then lift the muzzle end, to unhook the barrels and plugs from the tang. Cleaning was made to be easy, with the English style hooked breech. The ramrod is missing the rear reversible worm, so it currently too short for the barrels.
Each back action lock is marked W. RICHARDS on the lock plate. The locks, hammers, and tang were once burnished bright, now turning a speckled gray patina. The left hand lock sits slightly forward of the right hand hammer when viewed from above. The left hand half cock notch can be over-powered by a strong trigger pull. The nipple on the left hand barrel is broken, and only the base remains. It appears to be well rusted in place. We did not attempt to dismount either nipple.
A very late period percussion shotgun for display, or restoration. If this gun was restored to service. Never load modern steel shot into any antique shotgun. Use lead shot, where legal. Use non-toxic bismuth shot, when required for hunting waterfowl.
