Want To Buy Westley Richards .425

cwdubya

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So I've caught the bug to pick up a bolt action WR in .425... and I know they're hard to come by (and expensive), but if anyone has one kicking around in their safe that they're thinking of parting with, I'd love to chat with you. PM's are appreciated!

Clayton
 
Are you going to be in Dallas this weekend?
 
Unfortunately, no. I'm hoping I'll be able to make it next year, though. Is the DSC convention weekend & expo the best place/time to try to track down a rifle like that?
 
Unfortunately, no. I'm hoping I'll be able to make it next year, though. Is the DSC convention weekend & expo the best place/time to try to track down a rifle like that?
DSC would be the best place to possibly find one this weekend. The last one I saw well used was around $20,000 and that was about 4-5 years ago. Plus Westley Richards is there for you to pick their brains about where one might be.
Now, since you are in Idaho, the Safari Club International convention is in Reno, Nevada this year which I believe is much closer to you. If will be 5-8 Feb I believe. The same things I said about DSC applies to SCI including Westley Richards being there. Good luck in your search and if you find and buy one, please post pics for the most of us to whine and wish for!!!
 
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I found one a few months ago, but it just wasn't in the condition that I was hoping for. I probably should've bought it... but here we are :) Half the fun is in the search!
 
The one at the gun library in Post Falls? If so... yep, I've got a 'long' history with that one. It's the one I alluded to above. How much of a story would you guys like to hear on that? Haha.

Oh I forgot to add. I emailed about it again yesterday morning, and it's pending. Evidently they were going to send it to their Reno store in time for the SCI, but a guy called and bought it.
 

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Depending on what you want Montana Rifle Company built one for me about 6 years ago. Also CZ USA has built a few.
 
Clayton, although you wouldn't have the "bragging rights" of owning a 425 WR wouldn't a nice 404 Jeffery work just as well?
 
I believe the OP is looking for a used Westley Richards rifle in .425 WR not just any rifle in .425.
 
Sierraone, I figured as much. At the same time if 20k price is realistic, maybe the OP would be willing to accept an alternative.
 
Honestly, the .425 WR is a truly mediocre caliber. Would I use one? Absolutely...but only in a vintage WR rifle. Cannot fathom the idea of building a custom modern rifle in a fairly neutered caliber. The custom brass, the unique bullets, the side clip/feed issues, etc.

The one at Cabelas was a tricky one. I offered $2000 knowing I'd spend $4500 putting a 100% correct, done in UK stock on it. It wouldn't be worth much more than $6500 as a nice, properly restocked rifle.

Now if you want to talk stupid, here's a 4-year-old story for you.

I had the opportunity to buy TWO Westley Richards take-down rifles. A 318 lightly used. And a near-new 425 Westley Richards takedown.

I bought the 318 and used it in Africa. The Take Down 425WR was $10k and I just didn't have the coin for two. Another guy bought the 425 WR.

A year later, the owner of the 425 WR purchased the 318WR from me through an intermediary broker. When we spoke of it, he gave me the news.

"You shoulda bought the 425WR...its been missing for nearly a century. It was Frederick Courteney Selous' 425WR. Its the one he shot chimneys with from his London hotel room."

Yep. I passed on a $10k 425WR that is worth...$250,000 and is probably one of the top-20 most significant rifles ever made.

So if I seem irritable the past few years, refer to this anecdote.
 
Honestly, the .425 WR is a truly mediocre caliber. Would I use one? Absolutely...but only in a vintage WR rifle. Cannot fathom the idea of building a custom modern rifle in a fairly neutered caliber. The custom brass, the unique bullets, the side clip/feed issues, etc.

I would also only shoot this cartridge in an original rifle from WR.

I have an rifle caliber 11.2x72 built 1923 from August Schüler and that's why i know the problem of these obsolete cartridges with rebated rim. I would rather have a rifle caliber 404 jeffery built , but with a magnum bolt action.
 
Honestly, the .425 WR is a truly mediocre caliber. Would I use one? Absolutely...but only in a vintage WR rifle. Cannot fathom the idea of building a custom modern rifle in a fairly neutered caliber. The custom brass, the unique bullets, the side clip/feed issues, etc.

The one at Cabelas was a tricky one. I offered $2000 knowing I'd spend $4500 putting a 100% correct, done in UK stock on it. It wouldn't be worth much more than $6500 as a nice, properly restocked rifle.

Now if you want to talk stupid, here's a 4-year-old story for you.

I had the opportunity to buy TWO Westley Richards take-down rifles. A 318 lightly used. And a near-new 425 Westley Richards takedown.

I bought the 318 and used it in Africa. The Take Down 425WR was $10k and I just didn't have the coin for two. Another guy bought the 425 WR.

A year later, the owner of the 425 WR purchased the 318WR from me through an intermediary broker. When we spoke of it, he gave me the news.

"You shoulda bought the 425WR...its been missing for nearly a century. It was Frederick Courteney Selous' 425WR. Its the one he shot chimneys with from his London hotel room."

Yep. I passed on a $10k 425WR that is worth...$250,000 and is probably one of the top-20 most significant rifles ever made.

So if I seem irritable the past few years, refer to this anecdote.

RH, there is a story I cannot confirm, but have definitely read it somewhere. Also cannot remember the year of the incident. Already tried up and down the Explora which I have read consistently for the past 3-4 years. Simon Clode was attending the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. On the first day of the show (maybe just the exhibitors were granted entry on this day). He saw this rifle for sale and past on it not knowing who the original owner was. That night while eating, drinking, visiting, who knows, he discovered the history of this rifle. When he returned the next day to buy the rifle, it had been sold! There is more to the story I can't recall. If I ever find it, I will post it.
The rifle is currently on loan to WR and will be on display in Dallas and Reno this year.
RH, please add to this if you have more!
 
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Sierraone, I figured as much. At the same time if 20k price is realistic, maybe the OP would be willing to accept an alternative.
It may have been less than $20,000, but that's the number that sticks in my mind. I believe it was a breakdown model, but can't be sure of that either.

Same subject but a different take. I am a big Rigby fan and have been since I learned what a Rigby was many years ago. I only own Winchesters and Rugers, with a couple of exceptions of Chapuis and Webley and Scott. If I could afford a Rigby Big Game in .375 and .416 I would own them, not because I could necessarily shoot them better than I can my current rifles, but because they are Rigbys. That is probably the reason the OP wants a WR .425
 
Clayton, although you wouldn't have the "bragging rights" of owning a 425 WR wouldn't a nice 404 Jeffery work just as well?

It would. My dad hunted in Somalia with his Sako in .375 H&H, so it's definitely not a 'have to have' but more of a want. I saw an original WR advertisement, and checking out The Explora only made it worse.
 
Depending on what you want Montana Rifle Company built one for me about 6 years ago. Also CZ USA has built a few.

I've always been a fan of vintage, so it's definitely the maker and specific rifle rather than the caliber, but having said that, I appreciate the info!
 
Honestly, the .425 WR is a truly mediocre caliber. Would I use one? Absolutely...but only in a vintage WR rifle. Cannot fathom the idea of building a custom modern rifle in a fairly neutered caliber. The custom brass, the unique bullets, the side clip/feed issues, etc.

The one at Cabelas was a tricky one. I offered $2000 knowing I'd spend $4500 putting a 100% correct, done in UK stock on it. It wouldn't be worth much more than $6500 as a nice, properly restocked rifle.

Now if you want to talk stupid, here's a 4-year-old story for you.

I had the opportunity to buy TWO Westley Richards take-down rifles. A 318 lightly used. And a near-new 425 Westley Richards takedown.

I bought the 318 and used it in Africa. The Take Down 425WR was $10k and I just didn't have the coin for two. Another guy bought the 425 WR.

A year later, the owner of the 425 WR purchased the 318WR from me through an intermediary broker. When we spoke of it, he gave me the news.

"You shoulda bought the 425WR...its been missing for nearly a century. It was Frederick Courteney Selous' 425WR. Its the one he shot chimneys with from his London hotel room."

Yep. I passed on a $10k 425WR that is worth...$250,000 and is probably one of the top-20 most significant rifles ever made.

So if I seem irritable the past few years, refer to this anecdote.

I'm sorry that you missed out on that rifle, truly.

I had the WR sent from the Sidney store to the Post Falls store after I heard from a friend in Cheyenne that it was for sale over there. I called up the Sidney store and they assured me that 'it was the finest rifle they've ever seen of that vintage, and that it was in excellent condition.' Well, short story long, or long story short, it wasn't, as people know here. The stock cracks and repairs, the non-original bolt, the bore condition... I felt it wasn't worth the original ask of $14,5 (or 13,9, or whatever it was), and they were slow in dropping the price or wanting to negotiate- with me at least. When it was first shipped in, they wouldn't budge an inch on price. I paid for inter-store shipping, and they said that there was no obligation to buy if you had it sent to another store, so I passed. The staff at the time I think were pretty irritated that I didn't buy it after having it sent over. The former manager and a couple of the employees then weren't nearly as nice as a couple of the guys that they have there now. So I figured I'd give it some time. A few months ago I took another look in person, and at that time I think they still wanted $8,9 or somewhere in that ballpark, so while it was getting lower, it wasn't there for me. I did see that they had it listed for $6,9 right as it went pending, and then they removed the price.

The plus side is that I saw one in person and got a chance to see if I really liked the look of it, and it showed me what to look for and what's 'original.' The downside is that they don't come up super often and here was one right in my backyard that's now headed to another home, but I think I'm okay with that. I found an auction for a takedown that ended this past summer that closed north of $12, and had I known about it, I would've been in on that bidding.
 
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