Product Details
MADE FOR THE MAHARAJAH OF ALWAR
WESTLEY RICHARDS
A 7X65R 1897 PATENT DETACHABLE LOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 17511,
23 7/8in. nitro reproved barrels (in 1979, converted from .256 calibre) with file cut and acanthus scroll-engraved sight rib, engraved and partially matted open sights with two folding leaf sights marked 100, 200 and 300 yards, block-mounted bead fore-sight with flip up moonsight and with scroll-engraved fold-over protector, the rib engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS178 NEW BOND ST. LONDON. GUN MAKERS BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY GEORGE V REX ET IMP', the breech end mounted with a Swarovski Habicht 1,5-4,5x20A Nova telescopic sight, serial no. MA6101064, in quickly-detachable mounts, treble-grip action with Westley Richards patent toplever engraved 'WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT EJECTOR', bolted automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'BOLTED' and 'SAFE' detail, J. Deeley and L.B. Taylor patent hand-detachable locks, patent no. 17731 of 28th July 1897 with improved 'lighter pull-off' modification, patent no. 10567 of 7th May 1907, use number 2616, hinged floorplate, bold acanthus scroll engraving, brushed and blued finish overall, 14 3/4in. well-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, engraved steel pistolgrip-cap (with trap), sling eyes, ribbed steel buttplate with ammunition trap, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch and horn finial, weight 9lb. 2oz. (unscoped) and 10lb. 1oz. (with scope), in a canvas and leather case and with a Westley Richards Authentification Certificate
Provenance: The makers Authentification certificate and photocopied entries from the record books confirm that the rifle was built for the Maharajah of Alwar as one of a pair of .256 rifles, completed in 1913.
His Highness Sir Jai Singh Prabhakar, K.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.S.I. was born 14th June 1882 and ruled the Princely Sate of Alwar between 1903 and 1933.
It is recorded that whilst Sir Jai Singh could be erudite and quite charming, he was also possessed of a cruel and profligate nature that eventually led to him being exiled without power in 1933 although he was not deposed from the throne. He spent the following years in Paris where he died, four years later, aged 54.
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Estimate £8,000-12,000
S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act