A Classic Westley Richards .425 Bolt Action Rifle.

The Classic .425 Westley Richards rifle has become a scarcer and scarcer item to locate. The distinctive style and performance make it a desirable rifle for both collectors and hunters alike. The rifle has a totally distinct look which is, like the hand detachable locks, unique to our company. The .425 round is a match for the .416 Rigby, Rigby would say their round is more powerful and we would of course claim our is. Both use a .410gr bullet. The .425 is certainly more comfortable to shoot and being built on the standard size Mauser action is also faster to feed and load. The drop magazine was designed to take 'at speed' the contents of the 5 round clips of ammunition by which it was sold.

Finding a .425 rifle like this in its original specification and without having been through poor restoration or repairs is a very welcome surprise these days, it is a rifle I would like to be able to sell frequently but rarely get the chance. This particular rifle has been 'sleeping' in South Africa 'has done a little work' and is now home here at the factory and will be up on our used gun site shortly.

The rifle was built in 1937 and has the original 28" barrel ( 27 3/8" from front ring of which many of which have been shortened to 25-6") stock length of 14 3/8" and weighs 9lbs 15oz. The rifle is not cased and the accessories shown are from my collection of bits and do not come with the rifle. We do make in our leather shop a replica of the sling with hooks and also the belt and ammo holder.

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Comments

15 comments

VD

Vance Daigleon November 04, 2025

Vance Daigle on October 4, 2016 at 3:53 pm

Great- I like that look, it gives a gun even more of a vintage appeal.
Thank you for the response Simon,

In Christ
Vance,
P

Peteron November 04, 2025

Peter on October 3, 2016 at 7:23 pm

Very nice gun.

I love the sling swivels, are they original WR?
They would be nice on my WR double rifle or my .318 .
SC

Simon Clodeon November 04, 2025

Simon Clode on October 3, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Thank you Peter, these are as originally fitted to the rifle, they accept the swivel hook type sling we were recently able to re-intorduce. I did a post on these and they have been very popular as fit many old classic rifles. www.westleyrichards.com/theexplora/wp-admin/post.php?post=9136&action=edit

Certainly we can fit these to either or both the rifles, I think certainly the 318 and perhaps the classic type on the double as ‘a little more sturdy’ and the correct non detach fitting look very good on the doubles.

Simon
NC

Ned Cowellon November 04, 2025

Ned Cowell on October 6, 2016 at 4:12 pm

Would it be possible, given the very similar rim diameter and overall length of the .318 and the .425, to make one of your takedown rifles with interchangeable barrels in these two calibres, like the .375/.300 H&H combinations that you make. Would the difference in the diameter of the cartridge bodies necessitate a change of magazine follower when the barrels were switched? Given that you lead the field in take-down bolt actions, as in so much else, it would seem like a tremendous ‘flagship’ bolt action if it combined your two iconic cartridges!
NM

Neil McVeighon November 04, 2025

Neil McVeigh on October 4, 2016 at 8:06 am

Simon why did these guns invariably sport a 28" barrel?Was it just a “fashion” at the time or ballistically the long barrel was a necessity?I have read criticisms of the .318 and .425 from time to time due to the barrel length.Can you put the record straight?
Neil