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 .

 

[Marshman]

Daniel Leonard & Sons was a 3 generation family gunmaking firm in Birmingham between 1832 and 1966 (134 years). Harry Leonard (born 1843 died 1928) was the son of Daniel Leonard (died 1879).
To date. I have identified 42 N.E. Double Rifles made by Leonard's for W.J. Jeffery & also 9 for Alfred Hollis; between 1903 and 1939 and in calibres from .600 N.E. to .333 N.E.
"Leonard-Made" N.E. Double Rifles have a sequential Leonard Makers Number (LMN) stamped on the barrels under-rib about .75 inches forward of the Fore-end Lug. If the Action Bottom Plate is removed the same LMN is also stamped inside on the Action, if "Leonard-Made". If a "Leonard Finished Gun" the LMN is also stamped in black ink on the wooden Stock where it joins inside the Action. Also stamped in black ink on the wooden Fore-end if the metal clip is unscrewed. 1903 dated LMN is 568 and 1939 dated LMN is 3362. HL stamped on some N.E. barrels for Harry Leonard as Barrel Maker.
The Jim Corbett Jeffery .450/.400 N.E. Double Rifle (made 1909) with which he shot 4 "Man Eating Tigers" 1931 to 1938 in India was made by Daniel Leonard & Sons for W.J. Jeffery.