Westley Richards 425

[PaulB]

I was able to add another .425 to the collection.

Built in 1928, this .425 Westley Richards is a fine example of the makers most important big game Mauser rifle designs. This gun has the factory 28” barrel in original condition, and is fitted with the signature detachable box magazine, as well as the notorious WR flip hood site. Thie original case is stamped
“425 B.” (Bore)

The .425 was a favorite among seasoned hunters in India and Africa. This one no doubt served someone well.

 

[baxterb]

Whoah. Tremendous. Very nice.

A friend has one that has been converted to 458 Win Mag. Served him well!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Congratulations!!

 

[Flipper Dude]

I don’t know squat about a 425 WR, but I know that that is beautiful.

 

[Kdgj]

The rifle is in nice condition. Are you able to get ammo for it? I know WR will still make them.

Ken

 

[PaulB]

I don’t know squat about a 425 WR, but I know that that is beautiful.

Thank You!

The .425 Westley Richards is a proprietary cartridge and rifle system developed by Westley Richards in 1909, specifically engineered for big-game hunting in India and Africa. Technically, it is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge with a rebated rim. The first “short action” big game cartridge if you will.

The original .425 Westley Richards rifles were typically built on modified Mauser 98 actions, often strengthened and reworked by Westley Richards to handle the pressures of the cartridge. One of its most distinctive features is the detachable single-column magazine, allowing quick reloads and improved feeding reliability. The cartridge fires a .435-inch (11mm) diameter bullet, usually around 410 grains, at a velocity of approximately 2,300 feet per second, delivering deep penetration and high stopping power—ideal for dangerous game like lion, buffalo, and elephant.

In the early 1900s, it was ahead of its time.

 

[PaulB]

The rifle is in nice condition. Are you able to get ammo for it? I know WR will still make them.

Ken

Yes,
I have spent years developing and reloading for this calibre. I find the woodleigh’s to be excellent.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Eliminating one of the 2 doors doesn't change the .667 that you're wrong, and the game show host isn't going to eliminate the door with the actual prize behind it.

Thank You!

The .425 Westley Richards is a proprietary cartridge and rifle system developed by Westley Richards in 1909, specifically engineered for big-game hunting in India and Africa. Technically, it is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge with a rebated rim. The first “short action” big game cartridge if you will.

The original .425 Westley Richards rifles were typically built on modified Mauser 98 actions, often strengthened and reworked by Westley Richards to handle the pressures of the cartridge. One of its most distinctive features is the detachable single-column magazine, allowing quick reloads and improved feeding reliability. The cartridge fires a .435-inch (11mm) diameter bullet, usually around 410 grains, at a velocity of approximately 2,300 feet per second, delivering deep penetration and high stopping power—ideal for dangerous game like lion, buffalo, and elephant.

In the early 1900s, it was ahead of its time.

Pretty much like
My 404 Jeffery on the business end.

 

[Monski]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[Luvthunt]

Nice!!

 

[PARA45]

Wow, flat out gorgeous! Congratulations on this beautiful rifle. Please, a bit more info, like how/where did you find it, etc, etc. Maybe a dumb question; does shooting it affect the value or not?

 

[VertigoBE]

I was able to add another .425 to the collection.

Built in 1928, this .425 Westley Richards is a fine example of the makers most important big game Mauser rifle designs. This gun has the factory 28” barrel in original condition, and is fitted with the signature detachable box magazine, as well as the notorious WR flip hood site. Thie original case is stamped
“425 B.” (Bore)

The .425 was a favorite among seasoned hunters in India and Africa. This one no doubt served someone well.View attachment 697441View attachment 697442View attachment 697443View attachment 697444View attachment 697445View attachment 697446View attachment 697447

Good lord, that’s sexy

 

[PerH]

LFB and Rhino make bullets

Rhino make both Solid Shank and Solid

 

[Hunter-Habib]

One of the finest all-round calibers in existence. Heartiest congratulations. This is one caliber which is purely a “Westley Richards” exclusive. No firm aside from Westley Richards themselves is able to successfully build a rifle that feeds 100% reliably with the .425 cartridge. I 100% agree with @PerH in regards to employing Rhino bullets in your .425 Westley Richards. Their solid shank bullet and monolithic solid brass bullet are a completely unrivaled pairing.

 

[PerH]

425 Solid (20-units) | Rhino Bullets

Rhino Solids bullets have their application essentially for huge pachyderms, where deep penetration is required.The "flat meplat" of the bullet is designed for better straight line penetration and will penetrate deeper than a Round Nose Solid, as it encounters less resistance- in effect we have...

www.rhinobullets.co.za

 

[Tintin]

WOW! Thank you.

I had the pleasure of visiting them in Birmingham a couple of weeks back.

A few photos in my report.

 

[Red Leg]

What a lovely rifle. I wonder if it was owned by a German at some point who added the claw bases or if it was a special order directly from WR? If it does not retain the scope and rings, JJ Perodeau can build you a set of rings (very easy to do with a straight tube scope) to fit those bases. https://jjperodeau.com/

 

[PaulB]

Wow, flat out gorgeous! Congratulations on this beautiful rifle. Please, a bit more info, like how/where did you find it, etc, etc. Maybe a dumb question; does shooting it affect the value or not?

I found this one in New Mexico. I have found that using these old girls (appropriately) does not impact the value.

 

[Adam Stevens]

What a gorgeous rifle and caliber.

 

[PaulB]

What a lovely rifle. I wonder if it was owned by a German at some point who added the claw bases or if it was a special order directly from WR? If it does not retain the scope and rings, JJ Perodeau can build you a set of rings (very easy to do with a straight tube scope) to fit those bases. https://jjperodeau.com/

@Red Leg
It is my understanding that the claw mounts were added in the mid 1950’s in the UK. As you know, the WR mounts were difficult to make and faded out in the late 1930’s, and the H&H mounts were quite costly. I have several guns that had scopes added in the 50’s and the German claw mount seemed to be the direction most chose in that time period.

JJ is a good friend, he lives a little over an hour from me, he currently has a Maharajah engraved 425 WR that is the finest 425 in my collection. It has an octagon bbl (original from the factory)