![]() ![]() Isaac Hollis had several patents to his own credit and he is known to have made the guns for Crockart of Blairgowrie, Scotland. This example shown is by Isaac Hollis (London 1861-1900) and it employs the first lever work used by Westley Richards. He did a lot of specialist boring when choke became the rage, and he was highly regarded for his expertise within the Birmingham Trade. He was not a maker per se but bought things out of the Trade and retailed them just like everybody else. William Ford was a barrel borer by trade and a good one, too. An A&D with intercepting sears, which Ian regards as a solution to a nonexistent problem. Alas, we no longer own a 16 bore WR Anson & Deeley bearing his name but we replaced it with this lovely 12 bore made in 1877, just two years after the A&D was patented. James Dalziel Dougall is best known for his Lockfast action and he had a well established network of workmen so he might well have needed only to have bought-in barreled actions from WR. Then he was listed at 115 Regent Street in 1853 just when the pin fire was becoming popular in London. James Collins was listed at 12 Vigo Lane, Regent Street in 1826 which was clearly too early for this lovely pin fire. A bar in wood pin fire by James Collins with the WR doll’s head lever work. In this third year following the Bicentennial of Westley Richards we present a few such examples. It is however quite possible to buy perfectly good ‘Westley-made’ guns for a lot less money when they were marked and marketed by someone else. We have learned that there is deservedly a great deal of financial ‘blue sky’ and cachet associated with that justifiably famous marque. My favorite gun writer has said that he can afford Westley Richards and I am heartily glad for him. Reilly, Charles Smith, Thomas Turner, Webley & Scott, and even some Continental producers and retailers. Hollis, Charles Henry Maleham, Andrew Maloch, John Patstone, Pittsburgh Firearms Co., E. Some of the names we encountered included Army & Navy, Bentley & Playfair, James Collins, J. ![]() However, after having paused to confirm that sterling name on the rib, locks or body, another lesser known name has been revealed. During the handling of many a fine gun over the years, it has sometimes been the case that an initial and cursory inspection has brought the manufacturing style and form of Westley Richards to mind. The commas in the title of this little article are appropriate because one function of a comma is to give pause. WHO MADE THIS WESTLEY RICHARDS? OR, WHO MADE THIS, WESTLEY RICHARDS? Picture above: Andrew Maloch and Charles Smith both obtained whole guns, or very nearly so from WR. ![]()
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