Completed circa 1935 the pistol is based on a design that was originally patented to Charles Lancaster who used the design for their Howdah and Officer pistols. It was available from them in various pistol calibres up to .577 and came in both 4 and 2 barrel versions all operated with a single trigger. The single trigger could also be extended and when cocked act as a set trigger which was handy for precision shooting.
This Westley Richards version is proofed for the .410 2 1/2" cartridge shooting a 7/16 ounce load which suggests that it could really only have been intended for use either as a vermin control pistol, or more interestingly a specimen collectors pistol. The idea of facing a wounded tiger with it or some hostile native seems definitely out of the question!
Amazingly it comes presented in a lightweight leather case with cleaning rod and brushes all certainly made at the time it was supplied. Seeing such a case always fills us with anticipation and yet again we were not disappointed. A nice fun item to see bearing the Westley Richards name, one we may even use as a template for a new 'compact' .410 over and under quail gun!
Chuck on December 9, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Beautiful pistol. If you start to make them, I will be one of your first buyers.
Matthew Terpening on May 8, 2023 at 1:20 pm
I agree, I would love to own a modern variant of that pistol
John Lea on April 24, 2019 at 5:33 pm
I used to work at Westley Richards ( barrel filer) back in the late sixties, saw a few Lancaster pistols but I have never heard of a .410 O/U pistol till now. Fascinating what Westley Richards used to make in time gone bye and all high quality.
Larry on January 20, 2017 at 12:11 pm
That is really nice! As you said, the case and accessories make a wonderful addition to an already unique item!! Although, I’m a bit confused with the set trigger… I can’t imagine a lot of precision shooting was done with this one!
Ned Cowell on January 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm
What a fascinating and lovely thing! For a moment I wondered it might for some reason have been re-chambered in .410, but then of course the earlier proof marks would have been visible. Do I understand correctly that the lower part of the trigger hinges down, and then works a bit like the Tranter revolver set-up, whereby holding the lower part back compresses the mainspring and holds the striker ready, and then squeezing the upper part releases it? This blog never ceases to impress!
Best wishes
Ned