425 Westley Richards Battery

[PCC600]

PaulB - you have a magnificent selection of 425s . These are without any doubt in my opinion the best of the big medium bores . I have a John Rigby 416 and a Mauser Type A 404J but 2x425s . If I could I’d take the 425 double - it looks like their boxlock model. I have used one on buffalo in Australia and was really impressed . I have attached some photos of my WR #43267 . It is the same age as me but in much better shape . A best grade rifle made for Gastinne Renette . Has an unusual French Grey blued finish . 25 inch barrel with Kahles 2.5x scope . A wonderful rifle on Buffalo. I will post photos of the other rifle too .

 

[PaulB]

Do you have a Take Down that wouldn’t fit in the picture?

I have a couple, but they are in the UK getting some light restoration work done. Will post when I get them.

 

[PaulB]

That’s a spectacular battery of rifles.
I would definitely choose a bolt action with extended magazine. The second from the bottom has nice engraving, but the one just above, 3rd one from the bottom, with the claw mounts would make it such a general purpose, one gun safari rifle. Its’ lines and proportions also look the most “correct” to me. Only the front barrel band seems a bit too forward to me, proportion wise.

Are these all produced by WR, or are there other makers in there?

They are all Westley, mostly pre war. This one is my favorite. It will get its own post at some point.

 

[PaulB]

PaulB - you have a magnificent selection of 425s . These are without any doubt in my opinion the best of the big medium bores . I have a John Rigby 416 and a Mauser Type A 404J but 2x425s . If I could I’d take the 425 double - it looks like their boxlock model. I have used one on buffalo in Australia and was really impressed . I have attached some photos of my WR #43267 . It is the same age as me but in much better shape . A best grade rifle made for Gastinne Renette . Has an unusual French Grey blued finish . 25 inch barrel with Kahles 2.5x scope . A wonderful rifle on Buffalo. I will post photos of the other rifle too .

Thank you, sir. Your 425 is lovely as well

 

[PCC600]

PaulB- here are photos of my other 425 . It is #39359, made in 1913. It is a best grade rifle. It has a 26 inch detachable barrel with a milled finish. The barrel profile and milled finish to reduce glare is astonishing. I have never seen a barrel like it before, although the page from WRs ledger indicates they made quite a few . The rifle did have its original case but a buyer in Australia wouldn’t pay the extra air freight so they were split up and the case lost to time . Pathetic! Anyway it is a great old buffalo killer and happily feeds with a stripper clip when I am culling . It is a workhorse.

 

[CZDiesel]

Excluding the Double Rifle is an easy choice for me! Second from the top!

Anyone who has not held, worked the action, or shot a Westley Richards magazine DG rifle let me tell you they are something very special! I’d take one every day of the year over say a Rigby Big Game Hunter!!! They are soooo slick!

 

[PCC600]

Excluding the Double Rifle is an easy choice for me! Second from the top!

Anyone who has not held, worked the action, or shot a Westley Richards magazine DG rifle let me tell you they are something very special! I’d take one every day of the year over say a Rigby Big Game Hunter!!! They are soooo slick!

I could not agree more . Far superior to the current Rigby Big Games ( of which I have 2 ) .

 

[PaulB]

PaulB- here are photos of my other 425 . It is #39359 made in 1913 . It is a best grade rifle. It has a 26 inch detachable barrel with a milled finish. The barrel profile and milled finish to reduce glare is astonishing . I have never seen a barrel like it before although the page from WRs ledger indicates they made quite a few . The rifle did have its original case but a buyer in Australia wouldn’t pay the extra air freight so they were split up and the case lost to time . Pathetic ! Anyway it is a great old buffalo killer and happily feeds with a stripper clip when I am culling . It is a workhorse .

What a great gun

 

[pjaln]

PaulB - you have a magnificent selection of 425s . These are without any doubt in my opinion the best of the big medium bores . I have a John Rigby 416 and a Mauser Type A 404J but 2x425s . If I could I’d take the 425 double - it looks like their boxlock model. I have used one on buffalo in Australia and was really impressed . I have attached some photos of my WR #43267 . It is the same age as me but in much better shape . A best grade rifle made for Gastinne Renette . Has an unusual French Grey blued finish . 25 inch barrel with Kahles 2.5x scope . A wonderful rifle on Buffalo. I will post photos of the other rifle too .

great looking 425 , does the action have the "clips" built in

 

[PCC600]

great looking 425 , does the action have the "clips" built in

No clips on either action . Both are best quality and both feed flawlessly .

 

[pjaln]

No clips on either action . Both are best quality and both feed flawlessly .

I,d like to see better pics of the one made for Gaston ranette I like that style I know it probably a later gun

 

[PCC600]

I,d like to see better pics of the one made for Gaston ranette I like that style I know it probably a later gun

I will take some more photos when I get back to Australia next week .