Whilst Westley Richards has always been a manufacturer of its own guns and rifles, during the heady days of Empire there was a huge requirement for general sporting and military type arms for personnel serving in the armed forces. To fulfil their needs (and budgets) and to capture its share of the market Westley Richards often turned to other manufacturers including Mauser, Mannlicher, Colt, Smith & Wesson, etc.
One of the more interesting firearms sold by the company was the Mauser C96 'Broomhandle' semi automatic pistol in 7.63mm calibre. Retailed exclusively by Westley Richards between 1899 - 1904. It was one of the most deadly weapons of its day and found favour with officers serving in the British Army due to its rapidity of fire. One notable user was W.L.S.Churchill who used one during the battle of Omdurman and the 2nd Boer War.
Rare instruction pamphlet for Westley Richards Mauser C96 pistol
As you would expect with Westley Richards several improvements were made including an interchangeable wind gauge peep and v sight for fine shooting, along with a new bullet called 'the all range destructive'.
Westley Richards 'all range destructive' bullets in 10 round clip
Examples of the pistol can still be found today bearing the 'Westley Richards & Co' name on the left hand side of the action. Many came supplied with a walnut holster which doubled as a clip on stock for long range shooting. I have always wondered how many saw active service fighting the Germans in WWI, the ultimate irony!
All the Mauser pistols retailed by Westley Richards during our licensed period are recorded in one bound book which we still retain.
Paul Phelan on March 2, 2022 at 10:18 am
This is very interesting . WDM Bell the famous elephant hunter also carried on e of the Mauser Pistol s which he used to great effect to discourage the local tribesmen from attacking him .
All most interesting
Dr. Paul Draghi on March 25, 2022 at 12:48 am
Trigger,
This is a fascinating article, and as the stock book title label includes Carbines, I wonder if Westley Richards actually took any orders for the C96 carbine? These were rare indeed, though copies outnumber the genuine article by a wide margin. (I believe all the originals were specially ordered.)
Regards,
Paul
Louis Kralick on March 4, 2022 at 12:14 am
T. E. Lawrence (later of Arabia) carried one on his prewar undergrad
bicycle trip in Syria studying Crusader castles for his thesis. (“Crusader Castles”)
He reportedly drove off a mounted bandit who fired at him with a muzzleloader by returning fire at long range.
Ironically, in the eponymous movie,
Lawrence is actually wounded by an irate Turk using a broom handle!