An interesting double rifle action

[PCC600]

I have owned this 450/400 NE for many years . I got it out recently to give it a clean and it occurred to me to share some photos . The rifle was made by Westley Richards and completed for the Maharana of Udaipur in 1920 . It is superb . But what really interests me is the action . I’ve never seen another like it although I do recall reading somewhere that WR did make a few of these immediately post WW1 . Apart from being a side lock , what is really noticeable is the Greener style cross bolt coupled with a Webley screw grip . There is a Purdey bolt locking system as well . Has anyone else in the AH community seen anything like this ? I have lots of pics but I’m limiting them to a few of the action . Feedback appreciated .

 

[Sarg]

Wow interesting rifle that, wouldn’t have thought it to be a WR .

With Webley Screw Grip & Greener Cross Bolt , the Belt & Suspenders idea !

Very nice, sorry no info but thank you for sharing the photos.

 

[JvW]

Screw-grip Webley with an additional crossbolt. They wanted to make sure it stayed shut when it had to! Nice rifle, by the way.

 

[Hammergun]

Plus a dolls head. Imagine fitting all those bolts

 

[Rare Breed]

I have owned this 450/400 NE for many years . I got it out recently to give it a clean and it occurred to me to share some photos . The rifle was made by Westley Richards and completed for the Maharana of Udaipur in 1920 . It is superb . But what really interests me is the action . I’ve never seen another like it although I do recall reading somewhere that WR did make a few of these immediately post WW1 . Apart from being a side lock , what is really noticeable is the Greener style cross bolt coupled with a Webley screw grip . There is a Purdey bolt locking system as well . Has anyone else in the AH community seen anything like this ? I have lots of pics but I’m limiting them to a few of the action . Feedback appreciated .

What a treasure my friend!!!

 

[PCC600]

Screw-grip Webley with an additional crossbolt. They wanted to make sure it stayed shut when it had to! Nice rifle, by the way.

I think money was no object . I think WR had this action made by someone else but who ? Webley & Scott ?

 

[PCC600]

What a treasure my friend!!!

My iPhone photography is terrible but I will put up some more pics of the rifle in the next day .

 

[50Gunner]

Good Lord, what a unique bank vault little cutie, that breech face side and sidelock action photo looks awful Holland & Holland to me.

400gr Woodleigh softs and solids at 2150 would be an absolute treasure to hunt with.

Thanks!

 

[PCC600]

Good Lord, what a unique bank vault little cutie, that breech face side and sidelock action photo looks awful Holland & Holland to me.

400gr Woodleigh softs and solids at 2150 would be an absolute treasure to hunt with.

Thanks!

The rifle regulates really well at 2150fps . It has 26 inch barrels and regulated for 60grains of cordite . This is the full cordite load . Most 450/400s were regulated for the lighter tropical load of 55grains of cordite. Coupled with 24 inch barrels they struggled to reach 2050fps .

 

[Surgeon1]

And 450-400NE is rapidly becoming my favorite double rifle cartridge in Africa!

 

[PCC600]

A few more pics .

 

[PCC600]

The mystery has been solved . It looks like the barrel and action were supplied by H.Leonard of Birmingham . I now know the HL stamped on underside of the barrel is the identifier . The rifle #17683 was ordered in June 1919 and completed in July 1920 . The Maharana of Udaipur (Fateh Singh) also ordered a side lock 360 magnum express #17682 . Ordered and completed at the same time . Fateh Singh was also a big customer of John Rigby & Co . D&H Leonard ( Leonard Bros ) and later just H. Leonard were the principal suppliers of double rifles and guns to WJ Jeffery . They also supplied Jeffery with 21 of the original pre WW2 Jeffery 500Js numbers 28823-25554 from 16 November 1928 - 15 July 1937 . The last 3 were built by Gibbs #38602/3 both in May 1939 and #38625 in July 1940. The Leonards were clearly illustrious gunsmiths in Birmingham .

 

[discap]

Maybe its the angle of the photos but I don't see a Webley Screw Grip. I have one on a shotgun and it actually has screw threads (partial) on the top hook. I see a Dolls Head, Greener Crossbolt and hidden third fastener.

Beautiful and unusual setup. Just ignore me I tend to get caught up in this stuff.

bill

 

[Miletic]

I have owned this 450/400 NE for many years . I got it out recently to give it a clean and it occurred to me to share some photos . The rifle was made by Westley Richards and completed for the Maharana of Udaipur in 1920 . It is superb . But what really interests me is the action . I’ve never seen another like it although I do recall reading somewhere that WR did make a few of these immediately post WW1 . Apart from being a side lock , what is really noticeable is the Greener style cross bolt coupled with a Webley screw grip . There is a Purdey bolt locking system as well . Has anyone else in the AH community seen anything like this ? I have lots of pics but I’m limiting them to a few of the action . Feedback appreciated .

Hi PCC,
Your rifle has two Purdey keys (Purdey underlugs) underneath and Greener (Greener crossbolt) wedge cross locks behind the barrel. It is a well-known, very tight locking mechanism found on some shotguns. You can have fun with that gun.
A very similar locking mechanism was used by the Russian arms factory Toz when it made its TOZ 63 shotgun in 1964. It only had external shocks.

 

[Sarg]

The mystery has been solved . It looks like the barrel and action were supplied by H.Leonard of Birmingham . I now know the HL stamped on underside of the barrel is the identifier . The rifle #17683 was ordered in June 1919 and completed in July 1920 . The Maharana of Udaipur (Fateh Singh) also ordered a side lock 360 magnum express #17682 . Ordered and completed at the same time . Fateh Singh was also a big customer of John Rigby & Co . D&H Leonard ( Leonard Bros ) and later just H. Leonard were the principal suppliers of double rifles and guns to WJ Jeffery . They also supplied Jeffery with 21 of the original pre WW2 Jeffery 500Js numbers 28823-25554 from 16 November 1928 - 15 July 1937 . The last 3 were built by Gibbs #38602/3 both in May 1939 and #38625 in July 1940. The Leonards were clearly illustrious gunsmiths in Birmingham .

You got some great info there.

So it is made by Leonard & finished by Westley Richards or just retailed by WR ?

That must also be a little unusual, on a high grade rifle if it was finished by WR ?

From what we can see it looks to be a Screw Grip, a shot straight into the action would show it ?

 

[PCC600]

You got some great info there.

So it is made by Leonard & finished by Westley Richards or just retailed by WR ?

That must also be a little unusual, on a high grade rifle if it was finished by WR ?

From what we can see it looks to be a Screw Grip, a shot straight into the action would show it ?

I’m guessing it was made by Leonard . Finished and retailed by WR .