Pair of Westley Richards Percussion Belt Pistols

A rarity for sure, our latest find is this truly outstanding pair of Westley Richards, double barrel, belt pistols, we believe completed somewhere around 1830. Although there is likely to be a serial number present if you were to strip the pistols, sadly there is no number on the external so we can’t trace the history exactly, but what I can tell you, and is plain to see from the images, they are in absolute first class condition and are a marvel of early 19thcentury craftsmanship by this firm.

By Ricky Bond

Built with brown twist, sighted, 3 ¼” smooth bore barrels engraved ‘Westley Richards London’ with a stirrup ram rod and blued steel belt hook. Both pistols retain vivid case colours and are engraved with a foliate scroll coverage, high fences and dolphin head hammers with a slide back safety. Crisp, finely chequered handles with silver escutcheon and engraved grip cap with trap. Weighing 1lbs 14oz they point effortlessly and remain in unmolested condition, even the pins are clean, straight and untouched.

It’s safe to say we don’t get pistols in like this very often at all and the fact that they are made by our predecessors and remain in such fantastic condition is great to see. Sadly they are not cased but nevertheless, they are quite superb in every way.

By Ricky Bond

6 Comments

Chris Buckingham on July 29, 2018 at 10:12 am

A wonderful pair of pistols, from the lack of any sign of wear on the edges of the pistol grip flare these have probably been tucked away in a safe place since the day they were made, odd that there is no number on them, although I have a percussion Westly Richards 4 bore that also has no number, and I have looked all over it for one.

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Peter Buckley. on July 29, 2018 at 1:55 pm

Hi Ricky

“Totally Exquisite” the level of workmanship hasn’t changed much from then till now!!
I wonder did the ‘Bishop’ hand this brace of pistols over to a very excited customer?
Superb colour case, fine checkering, barrel brown, engraving, the vision of the then craftsmen just stunning!
I would love to know what bore they are, they look like “Man Stoppers” (large bore)
I just can’t judge the scale against a cap tin?
Imagine having this pair stuffed into your belt when the need for a pistol in a skirmish was self evident to preserve your life!
Beautiful pistols extremely well kept by the very careful custodians!

Best regards

Peter.

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Neill on July 29, 2018 at 5:21 pm

They are very nice indeed! I love Damascus steel, be it the barrel of a gun or a knife blade.

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Ken Hill on July 30, 2018 at 4:05 pm

Ricky,

This is why I always like this blog. You never know what you will see here. You won't see these type of guns a lot and the condition is amazing.

Thanks for posting,
Ken

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Dogs and Doubles on July 30, 2018 at 4:54 pm

Thanks for sharing. Beautiful pistols.

How did people use pistols like these (when they actually used them)?

Thanks,

Gregg

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David Hodo on August 1, 2018 at 1:14 am

Agree with Neill and Ken Hill exactly.....Damascus steel and never knowing what you will find!!!

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