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W. Richards 12 guage

armyscout36
Could some one please help me find out some information about this piece that I just got my hands on. It is a double barrel breach loading 12 guage that is still all original and in firing condition. Please help me with any information that you might have.
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  • mark christian
    For the most part these W. Richards (and all of the variations of the name) are Belgian trade guns meant to capitalize on the more famous Westley Richard shotguns. The W. Richards sold through catalogs and hardware store at the turn of the last century and really have no collector value. Many of these guns use twist barrels and are not safe to shoot with modern smokeless loads, or in many cases are not safe to shoot at all. In really nice condition these can bring about $150-$200 for folks looking to decorate their fireplaces with a shotgun. If it has fluid steel barrels and is shootable then it will bring a premium.
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  • Ned Fall
    Gun is a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one made by a major maker for and sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. W. Richards is a takeoff on the name of Wesley Richards a famous English gun maker. There were several users of the name W. Richards. They are W. Richards made by a Belgian gun maker named Henri Pieper. W. Richards Best Birmingham Make made by an unknown English, maker. Just plain W. Richards made by an unknown English maker located in Preston,England sometime in the 1880s. Another plain W, Richards, this one made by an English maker this one located in Liverpool also made in the 1880s. And finally W.&H. Richards made by Henri Pieper. All of these guns were made sometime between 1880 and 1914 when World War One cut off exports from Europe. All were designed for the ammunition in use at the time which was black powder loaded. They will have damascus barrels and were not designed for smokeless powder or long chambers. Don't attempt to shoot the gun. Value? Some where between $175 to $10 depending on condition.
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