A VERY RARE CASED 52-BORE WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT SIX-SHOT SINGLE-ACTION SIDE-HAMMER PERCUSSION REVOLVER

BY WESTLEY RICHARDS, 170, NEW BOND ST., LONDON, (PATENTEE), SERIAL NO. 27 FOR 1857

細節

A VERY RARE CASED 52-BORE WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT SIX-SHOT SINGLE-ACTION SIDE-HAMMER PERCUSSION REVOLVER
BY WESTLEY RICHARDS, 170, NEW BOND ST., LONDON, (PATENTEE), SERIAL NO. 27 FOR 1857
With blued octagonal sighted tip-up barrel signed in full, engraved with a band of foliage at the muzzle and rifled with four grooves, the top-strap with no provision for a rear-sight, case-hardened cylinder, blued frame with case-hardened side-hammer, chequered figured walnut grips, lanyard ring, blued trigger-guard and bright Westley Richards patent rack and pinion rammer, retaining much finish throughout, possibly original or else a working life refinish, Birmingham proof marks, in associated partially relined and refitted oak case, with brass double-cavity bullet mould marked 'WR 52', a small canvas percussion cap bag bearing Westley Richards labels, and Sykes revolver flask, the exterior with circular brass escutcheon
5¾in. (14.7cm.) barrel

來源

The Bell Collection, Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 11 November 1998, Lot 124
The makers have kindly confirmed that this revolver was completed in 1857

出版

Claude Blair, Pistols of the World, 1968, pls. 653-4
Doug Nie, Westley Richards Percussion Revolvers, London Arms Fair Guide, Spring 1978

拍品專文

Incorporating British patent nos. 933 of 3 May 1854 (rammer) and 911 of 24 April 1855 (mechanism)

Nie notes that it is believed only four examples of these single-action revolvers survive. Of this select group three (including the present Lot) have the top-hinged barrel and a pull-forward barrel release. The fourth revolver (serial no. 4) has a barrel release similar to the five-shot self-cocking revolvers

Serial no. 39 was sold by Christie's, King Street, on 16 December 2003, Lot 167 and is almost certainly the 'relic' example referred to by Nie