The Elmer Keith Westley Richards Rifles to be auctioned at James D. Julia.
" I knew Elmer Keith well for many years. He was my first and best mentor when it came to double rifles. He owned several double rifles by the best makers in England and without question always referred to the Westley Richards Hand Detachable Lock Double Rifle as the Finest of them all. As Testament to this, he practiced what he preached. When he went to Africa for the first time, to hunt the big 5 in Kenya it was the realisation of his life's dream; he carried a Best Quality Westley Richards .476 double rifle. He also owned four other Westley Richards with detachable locks, including a best quality, One Trigger .577 with an extra set of locks."
Gary Netzer on May 24, 2016 at 3:36 am
Keith – what caliber Selous rifle did you use for your recent Kudu hunt? Gary
Simon Clode on May 24, 2016 at 7:14 am
Keith used a .425 Westley Richards bolt action rifle, one discovered in January at the Las Vegas antique arms show. And missed by me!!
Gary Duffey on February 26, 2015 at 2:21 pm
These are truly great examples of great rifles with that beautiful patina and use that makes them even more spectacular. Mr. Keith had great volumes of correspondence from all of the famous hunters we know. He was both a student and a doer of things. He guided the likes of Zane Grey and others. I was such a fan of him by 16 I had two S&W .44’s, a M70 .338, and a .10 gauge!! I guess he was one of my hero’s and I still believe not a bad choice!! I will never forget meeting him at an NRA convention when I was about 17. I have some correspondence with him and when I ordered Sixguns from him he wrote me a long note, upside down, inside the back. What a presence he did have!! “They do not make them like him anymore.” I have my eye on something in the auction and it will be very interesting to follow.
Keith Fahl on February 27, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Elmer Keith was always my idol. I started reading him at 13 years old and fell in love with big bores and double rifles. I saw him in 1972 in Salmon Idaho on the way to my first pack in Elk hunt. I also still have a letter from him where he gave me advise for loading my .458 to use on my first safari to Kenya in 1974 where I shot 3 Cape Buffalo. After reading him for all those years it was a real joy to actually handle his doubles at the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show this year. Elmer and his rifles were truly an inspiration to my love of the sport. He was one of a kind.
KF
Simon Clode on February 27, 2015 at 7:59 pm
It is very nice to read these comments on both how inspiring and generous a person he obviously was. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him myself!