Rifle
Westley Richards (founded 1812)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1870 - 1880
Materials
steel and wood
Measurements
1236 mm (Length); 765 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Birmingham
Order this imageCollection
Tatton Park, Cheshire
NT 1297696
Summary
Westley Richards “Improved Martini” breech-loading single-shot rifle, English c1870-80.
Full description
Westley Richards “Improved Martini” breech-loading single-shot rifle, c1870-80. Military version of the “Improved Martini” rifle patented in 1868 by Westley Richards of Birmingham. Round steel barrel, rifled, with octagonal form breech stamped, HENRY’S PATENT RIFLING .448, and the serial No 157, together with Birmingham proof marks. Blade fore-sight and a calibrated adjustable ramp rear sight. Retained to the stock by 1 steel barrel band with integral sling swivel, and 1 barrel pin. Steel cleaning rod. Barrel length 76.5cm. Calibre .448 Walnut butt, with a sling swivel, and a separate fore-stock. THe butt having a steel butt-plate with a hinged compartment, the fore-end with a steel cap. Steel box-like receiver, constructed with a Martini-type hinged breech for top loading (the pivot pin missing). The short breech operating lever pivots at the lower edge, forward of the trigger guard, and is formed to fit around the trigger guard when the action is closed. The right side of frame is stamped PATENT and has a pivoting safety catch lever. The left side of frame marked, WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT. The top of frame stamped with Birmingham proof marks, the serial No 157, and the numbers 100. Overall length: 123.6cm
Provenance
Egerton collection devised to the National Trust in 1960 by Maurice, 4th Baron Egerton of Tatton (1874-1958)
Marks and inscriptions
Marked on left side of frame: WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT Barrel: Henrys patent rifling .448
Makers and roles
Westley Richards (founded 1812), gunsmith