W. Richards 12ga Double Barrel

Ozarkhog

January 01, 2004 08:40

I'm trying to find out if this gun is actually a W. Richards or not. It's only marking is "W. Richards" on both sides of the receiver behind the hammers. It's damascus steel, has a side latch, 32 inch barrels. The gun is decent shape, but has been refinished somewhere along the way. It's in good enough shape that back in the mid 1970s, I found some black powder shot shells and took it squirrel hunting. What a cloud of smoke! I took it to several gun shops back in the 1970s and it was estimated by most as being built around 1900 but I think they were just guessing. Some gunsmiths also told me that there were several W. Richards copies. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

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  captkirk3@dslextreme.com

  January 01, 2004 08:47

  Dismount the Barrels and look under the Breechend of same...There will be PROOF MARKS... if there is and OVAL with the Letters EL over G in the oval...then its a Belgium Knockdown....if Not then Post a Photo or at the very least a complete and comprehensive dicription of the Marks You find There...I hope You luckout and have a Genuine London Built Wesley Richards .....Happy New Year to You and Yours....
  
  Captain Kirk, Tech Staff

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  rufe-snow

  January 01, 2004 08:51

  Chances are it's a Belgian knock-off, it was very common at the time these guns were made/sold to put spurious markings on them.
  
  To know for certain, you'll will have to give us all the proof marks on the barrels and watertable.
  
  

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  J Dave

  January 01, 2004 11:55

  I had one of those guns and was told that Westly Richards
  never marked a gun with W.Richards
  Dave

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