The Westley Richards .410 hand detachable lock shotgun pictured above has received a huge amount of compliments as well as many offers to purchase, during its travels with us at the shows in USA and UK over the past few years. If I may say so myself, it is a gun worthy of the praise, it is truly elegant.
So, I suppose it is not at all surprising that a small start up gunmaker in USA has attempted to imitate the elegance of this gun whilst launching their own range of new guns. Flattery indeed, and my thanks to the company for the recognition. I did in fact know this gun would be copied when I spotted the owner of the gunmaker, stealthily photographing the gun with his iPhone at Safari Club a few years ago.
Another, perhaps more audacious copy of our guns was the pair of Westley Richards .410's which went through Rock Island Auction a few years ago. These were 2 traditional scroll engraved guns which were then polished off and re-engraved in the style of the Hummingbird Gun. There was no mention that these guns were, what we call over here 'Tarted Up' rendering them in my opinion as totally unoriginal and junk.
What puzzles me most is how people with money to spend on this level of engraving are incapable of creating something unique and different, there are so many subjects and styles we have not tried.
The new USA made .410.
The original Westley Richards Hummingbird Gun engraved by Rashid Hadi.
The re-engraved pair of Westley Richards .410 in style of Hummingbird gun. Engraver unknown.
LD on August 14, 2015 at 7:49 pm
The pair of hummingbird guns being referenced here are currently for sale and were re-engraved by Terry Duguet.
Simon Clode on August 14, 2015 at 7:42 pm
It was completed in about 1998 and we do make guns like this in any bore or calibre, not the same engraving but as elaborate.
Neill Clark on August 14, 2015 at 7:36 pm
I know what you mean about Timex versus Rolex, but then have you seen what Robert Loomes of Stamford, Lincolnshire, has done with Timex movements?
There’s no excuse for selling one thing as another and I can’t quite understand why someone would want a WR gun to be re-engraved, but then I own No. 2 of a Rizzini pair, tweeked by Paul Roberts to be more English. No. 1 had been bought, stock stained very dark from the lovely walnut it was, and then rejected. I got No. 2 at a good price, there’s no logic in what some folk want!
chris boutrous ghalib on August 14, 2015 at 7:11 pm
mr.clode when was the humming bird gun made?
which year?
its a nice looking gun
wish you can make them in 20,16 or 12 bore
Douglas Tate on August 14, 2015 at 2:45 pm
The hummingbird pair you mentioned engendered much mirth in the Tate household. They were offered as “Maharaja Guns” yet featured new world avian species. Totally risible.