Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

W. H. Richards Double Barrel Shotgun Help

brendawellhausen
First, forgive my ignorance on the subject of shotguns, etc. We have had in our possesion for many years my husband's family's shotguns and rifles. The first one I would like to identify and possibly get a questimated value is a W. H. Richards, double spiral barrel shotgun? rifle?. I'll describe further, on the very end of the butt of this piece has a carving on the end. It is scrolling and a dog chasing two bucks. There is a a carved pattern on the large part of the butt. There are two triggers on this piece. The end opens up via a lever underneath so two shells can be inserted, each chamber has its own trigger. The side of this shotgun reads "W. H. RICHARDS" and also "BELGIUM" on each side of the trigger. On the piece that slides to open the barrel area there is a "19" and what looks like "7234". The barrels are 33" long. If pictures would help please let me know. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
0

Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • brendawellhausen
    Also, let me add that on the top of the barrels it is imprinted "CAST STEEL". Thanks
    0
  • nord
    First a compliment on how well you did on the description of your old shotgun, though you may have been a little light on condition...

    As you already know, a Belgian gun. It is considered by most to have been a utility gun at best. You describe "spiral" tubes, but they may be faux damascus as they're imprinted "cast steel". Either way the gun is considered unsafe to shoot with today's ammo and perhaps any ammo at all. Assuming cast tubes, all I can say is that they're very fragile compared to tubes of today.

    Value will be rather low as the gun really isn't a gun anymore. It's more of a wallhanger. I think it fair to guess from perhaps $125.00 on the lower end to about the $200.00 range for this piece.

    Nord
    0
  • brendawellhausen
    Nord, Thanks for the info. Hubby mentioned that it was no longer able to fire. Can't even begin to say about condition as I know nothing in this area (I'm better at antique jewelry). Anyway, it hasn't been cleaned in forever and the butt does have nicks etc. Also didn't mention that you must pull back the triggers in order to fire. Any idea of age? Again, thanks and I'll get to the others later in the week. Brenda
    0
  • nord
    You don't mention external hammers, so I'll guess internal. That would make it a fairly late gun as these were made from about 1890 up until the start of WW1. Some production was resumed for a time after the war but I don't recall if the Richards name was among them.

    Nord

    Allow me to clarify... Hammerguns were earlier. Hammerless came later in the run, though hammerguns continued in reduced numbers until imports ceased.
    0
  • brendawellhausen
    Again, excuse my ignorance. The hammers are on the outside and must be pulled back before the triggers can be released for firing (when it was in fact an operable gun). Thanks for the information. Brenda
    0
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Belguim, c.1900...Richards W., made both Steel Barreled Guns and Damascus Barreled Guns...Hammer Guns and Hammerless Guns also...Both are pretty much valued the same...$150.00 to $200.00...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity