Check out this unusual Westley Richards

[45flint]

Look pretty crusty so at least the time period? They look factory made but who knows who put them on? But we have a factory brochure saying they would put custom sights on. I think the easy answer may be the right one? Would someone really go to all the trouble to make these?

[ccdjg]

I have made a quick comparison of the grip plates against those of the first and second version pistols, and you can see below that the checkering on the mystery pistol grips is coarser than on the second version and the WR logo is slightly different to that on the first version, but even so they are professionally done and IMO almost certainly original to the pistol.

Given the very low serial number of the mystery pistol, this suggests (to me) that both the front sight and the grip plates are original, and the gun may have been an experimental pre-issue model. I can understand why the front sight was never commercialised, but not why the checkered vulcanite grip plates were downgraded to smooth horn, if only for a short period. Unless it was just a cost issue.

This is a good example of a pistol that should have been left as found and not subjected to excessive restoration.

[micky2]

Look pretty crusty so at least the time period? They look factory made but who knows who put them on? But we have a factory brochure saying they would put custom sights on. I think the easy answer may be the right one? Would someone really go to all the trouble to make these?

Hi Steve, now having seen the photos of the front sight, l have to agree with you that the pitting fits in with the rest of the pistol, l wonder if W.R ever fitted that front sight to any of their other guns. which would be nice to confirm.

[micky2]

I have made a quick comparison of the grip plates against those of the first and second version pistols, and you can see below that the checkering on the mystery pistol grips is coarser than on the second version and the WR logo is slightly different to that on the first version, but even so they are professionally done and IMO almost certainly original to the pistol.

Given the very low serial number of the mystery pistol, this suggests (to me) that both the front sight and the grip plates are original, and the gun may have been an experimental pre-issue model. I can understand why the front sight was never commercialised, but not why the checkered vulcanite grip plates were downgraded to smooth horn, if only for a short period. Unless it was just a cost issue.

This is a good example of a pistol that should have been left as found and not subjected to excessive restoration.

Hi John, l have to agree with you on the above comments, and for me as well it should have been left as found.

[45flint]

I have made a quick comparison of the grip plates against those of the first and second version pistols, and you can see below that the checkering on the mystery pistol grips is coarser than on the second version and the WR logo is slightly different to that on the first version, but even so they are professionally done and IMO almost certainly original to the pistol.

Given the very low serial number of the mystery pistol, this suggests (to me) that both the front sight and the grip plates are original, and the gun may have been an experimental pre-issue model. I can understand why the front sight was never commercialised, but not why the checkered vulcanite grip plates were downgraded to smooth horn, if only for a short period. Unless it was just a cost issue.

This is a good example of a pistol that should have been left as found and not subjected to excessive restoration.

For the record I have the pistol and the grips are vulcanite.

[ccdjg]

For the record I have the pistol and the grips are vulcanite.

Very interesting. This writes a new bit of history to the Highest Possible, which is not bad considering the guns have been around for more than 100 years.

What really puzzles me is that the information turned up in the USA!

[45flint]

These grips are also much thicker than the later ones and actually give a much better grip of the pistol. I wonder if they are more in line with the profile of the horn grips? There is a positive of the breakup of the Beeman collection, the guns are out in the public eye again? Shame a airgun museum was never created but heirs tend to like the money.

[Garvin]

They look better than the later grips. I've always felt they weren't thick enough for a decent hold.

[45flint]

Was working on leather seal of serial #5 and look what was starring up at me. It’s serial #45 which may change the narrative? The serial number on the main frame was badly rusted and only a very faint 5 was visible which the auctioneer used. Serial #45 would make sense that this may have been the first prototype of a new vulcanite grip and they decided to go with something less elaborate for the later pistols. May make the front sight a little more perplexing? But maybe this sight like the grips was the first attempt to change the original sight but they decided to go with the curved adjustable rear sight?

[45flint]

For those that like to look inside I took apart the pistol and found the person reworking this pistol fashioned a modern piston seal. Looks like everything else is original. Old flat wound spring. Cleaned out all the dried up grease and relubed it. Works much better now but leather breech seal needs to be replace. Even after that I expect not great velocity, but it will be a good pistol to demo operation. After looking at the pistol I am sure this was at one time a rusty mess? The refinishing job was superb, though certainly at the price of lettering and crisp edges. I would rather have it like this without question even though that goes against my grain.

[ptdunk]

Cleaned out all the dried up grease and relubed it.

Did you reblue it?

[45flint]

Did you reblue it?

?? In the quote I relubed the piston and spring? I bought it reblued, professionally done by someone who knew what they were doing. I would assume Beeman had it done, I think many older collectors tended to not have as many issues about refinishing? I know Ingvar Alm refinished.

[ptdunk]

?? In the quote I relubed the piston and spring? I bought it reblued, professionally done by someone who knew what they were doing. I would assume Beeman had it done, I think many older collectors tended to not have as many issues about refinishing? I know Ingvar Alm refinished.

Ok, wasn’t clear from your post.
Awesome variation on the H.P, glad it was acquired by a forum member.,

Cheers,
Matt

[45flint]

New breech seal, shooting some air out the barrel now. Doubt the fps will set any records but it’s working. Just put a hole in paper with quite a pop! Never thought it would shoot when I got it.

[micky2]

Yes it is great to get a old airgun working again.