425 Westley Richards (Maharajah)

[steve white]

That sidelock 22HP may have just sold here in the States at Sportsman’s Legacy

Rigby .22 Savage sidelock double rifle, London, quick release, engraved, case, ammunition, layaway

Rigby .22 Savage sidelock double rifle, London, quick release, engraved, case, ammunition, layaway for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

I saw this yesterday and it was already pending. I think at the price they may have left some money on the table!
I have a Manton double 22HP and that chambering is not to be confused with other 22s of the period.
Quite a little powerhouse, the 22HP!

Back to the OP - a very special rifle there Paul!

That's so pretty it hurt my eyes...wow.

 

[steve white]

PaulB, your collection is enough to make strong men swoon.

 

[375-9.3x63 Fan]

Beautiful Rifle, thanks for sharing!

 

[PaulB]

Paul - feel free to indulge me with rifles like this anytime. I am a huge fan and regular user of the 425WR . In my opinion this rifle/ cartridge combination is the best of the 404 / 416 /425 group . Seems to hit harder than the others and very accurate. A couple of things - the buffalo horn knobs on bolts were very common on WR best rifles pre WW2 . They are on my 318 & 425 but not on a much newer “best” 425 of mine . The other interesting thing is the barrel length . Much was written about what was considered the overly long barrels on WR 425s - mainly by Pondoro Taylor . The earlier and later rifles like mine only have 26 inch barrels . This was standard up to WW1 so the longer barrels are a later development . Based on your hunting I doubt you even noticed the extra length . You have a magnificent example from a great maker in a great calibre . Cheers

I can definitely tell when carrying the 28” octagon bbl, as it’s quite heavy. I much prefer a 26” bbl, and when on foot for long days I like a 24” bbl even better.

I agree the .425 is fantastic, I’ve used it on a lot of buffalo with multiple bolt guns, lion, hippo, and more, I can’t say enough about the performance.

I have a double in .425 as well. HOWEVER I will never use the double again on a dangerous game hunt. A non flanged double is one thing, but a rebated rim is asking for trouble in an old double imo, and I learned this the hard way on a buffalo hunt in 2023. sticky situation. In the end it worked out, luckily. (This is him below)

 

[PaulB]

PaulB, your collection is enough to make strong men swoon.

You’re too kind

 

[cm76]

Magnificent rifle Paul, and congratulations on a successful hunt with it

Chris

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I can definitely tell when carrying the 28” octagon bbl, as it’s quite heavy. I much prefer a 26” bbl, and when on foot for long days I like a 24” bbl even better.

I agree the .425 is fantastic, I’ve used it on a lot of buffalo with multiple bolt guns, lion, hippo, and more, I can’t say enough about the performance.

I have a double in .425 as well. HOWEVER I will never use the double again on a dangerous game hunt. A non flanged double is one thing, but a rebated rim is asking for trouble in an old double imo, and I learned this the hard way on a buffalo hunt in 2023. sticky situation. In the end it worked out, luckily. (This is him below)

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Did the double .425 Westley Richards experience an extraction issue during the 2023 hunt ?

I had the extractors on a Belgium made .458 Winchester Magnum boxlock ejector fail during a Cape buffalo hunt in 1978. The only reason the hunt did not culminate in disaster, was because the buffalo ran off after the first two shots and those two shots eventually proved fatal.

 

[1dirthawker]

that is a cool rifle!

 

[VertigoBE]

A gorgeous rifle @PaulB I hope this will not be the only time you take this grand old lady out for some fun in Africa!

 

[PaulB]

Did the double .425 Westley Richards experience an extraction issue during the 2023 hunt ?

I had the extractors on a Belgium made .458 Winchester Magnum boxlock ejector fail during a Cape buffalo hunt in 1978. The only reason the hunt did not culminate in disaster, was because the buffalo ran off after the first two shots and those two shots eventually proved fatal.

Yes the blades failed me after the first 2 shots. The First shot was placed well (a soft) the second (a solid) was not my best. He ran at us, I tried to reload, but couldn’t. A moment of fear overwhelmed. Luckily he stumbled and slowed down and I was able to use my guides 500 Jeffery to finish him.

 

[dgr416]

Awesome gun way to go

 

[AZDAVE]

EXCEPTIONAL!!!

 

[dgr416]

I love seeing classic rifles being hunted with like that.I am hunting with my Elmer Keith rifle when it has new scope mount and good recoil pad to replace rotten one .

 

[PaulB]

I love seeing classic rifles being hunted with like that.I am hunting with my Elmer Keith rifle when it has new scope mount and good recoil pad to replace rotten one .

Which rifle of Mr. Keith?

 

[Rare Breed]

If you guys will indulge me, I wanted this gun to have its own post.

This gun went to Africa with me last year and performed flawlessly.

Westley Richards SN 41448, completed in 1924 for the Maharajah of Baroda, is an exceptional example of the firm’s bespoke work. It features a heavy-profile octagonal barrel, round at the shank, with its base neatly engraved in scrollwork. The top flat is matted and fitted with Westley Richards’ proprietary bases, while the left flat is marked “Westley Richards & Co. London” and “Length of case 2 5/8 65/410 GRS.” The right flat bears the inscription “Shrimant Sampatrao Gaikwad Baroda.”

A particularly unusual detail is the horn ball bolt knob, a striking departure from typical shaped knobs. The box magazine is engraved with scrollwork and a series of dangerous-game scenes: a stalking tiger on the left side, an elephant on the bottom, a gaur buffalo on the right, and a lion on the trigger guard. The rifle is completed with a nicely carved and finely checkered stock, featuring extensive modified point-pattern checkering with mullered borders, bringing the whole piece together as a uniquely ornate and historically significant rifle.

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esqusite rifle in every way!!! Congratulations!!! Would love to hear the story how you required it!!!

 

[pjaln]

the Westley rifles of this era where the end of the line as far as British bolt rifles are concerned ,this coming from a die hard Rigby guy

 

[RIGBY]

You have a fantastic (and enviable) collection of guns that are only further enhanced by your stunning photography! Thank you for taking the time to share them!

 

[PaulB]

Thank you for the encouragement. Big praise coming from RIGBY. Thank you

 

[Rusty85]

This rifle is a wonderful piece of history and art.

 

[dgr416]

Which rifle of Mr. Keith?

Endfield p17 redone by Charlie Oneal in 1943 .Its in 333 okh Belted mag which turmed into 338 win mag by winchester .It went to Alaska with Elmer killed 10 foot bear and 72 inch moose then he shot 10 elk with it .Then Charlie oneal took it to Africa killed a bunch of plains game .I have the 300 gr .333 bullets thst Fred Bsrnes made with Elmer at Connie Brooks and her husband new owner of Barnes bullets .I have Elmers dies too .I gotta get new recoil pad it rotted and new scope mount its crooked a little awesome rifle looks new .It has a gisnt cheekpiece on it .