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."
Simon Clode on March 3, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Thank you for your kind words, said obviously with experience. I hope your 470 can have many more safari’s!
Kind Regards.
heinz buhlmann on March 3, 2015 at 9:54 am
mr.simon clode first i want to thank you for a wonderful and fine blog
the westley Richards droplock guns,shotguns and doublerifles are without any question the finest double guns ever made.in Germany i have used and seen many pre 1940s droplock double rifles in diffrent calibres,and i can tell you this are very well made,for any one With Money to spend on rifles this elmer Keith doubles are one very good Investment.i have a 470.droplock westley and i have used it on 27 african safaris from the hot and wet jungles and swamps of west and Central africa to Tanzania and South,and i can tell you droplock double rifles are made for shooting and hunting.i have also many H&H and purdey double rifles,but this were often made one time shikar and safari Hunters,often Rich Indian,with no or little KNOWLEDGE on hunting guns.
sincerely
h.b
berlin
Larry Blunk on February 28, 2015 at 3:52 pm
What a great pair of rifles. I read Keith growing up and his wonderful books served as a great foundation to my passion.