QUALITY MAKER**Victorian 1880 Westley Richards Whitworth Patent Percussion Capping Breech Loading \'Monkey Tail\' .450 / .483 Calibre Carbine. A 1101 Single Shot Obsolete Rifles

**QUALITY MAKER**Victorian 1880 Westley Richards Whitworth Patent Percussion Capping Breech Loading 'Monkey Tail' .450 / .483 Calibre Carbine. A 1101 - A 1101

British Military Trials on Breech Loading rifles began in the mid 1800's. The most successful rifle was that submitted by Westley Richards. Its breech consisted of a plunger attached to a long handle which, when the breech was closed, lay along the top of the stock neck and was raised to open it, thus earning The nickname of the monkey-tail from its distinctive silhouette. This is a quality made, Westley Richards Percussion Capping Breech Loading 'Monkey Tail' carbine. It has a 23 ½” blued barrel & measures 41” overall. The rifle’s bore has just staining consistent with age and well defined deep rifling. The barrel is crisply marked ‘Whitworth Patent’. The barrel is numbered ‘C2696, has proofs and .450 & .483 calibre detail. The steel butt plate has a hinged trap. It has a block and blade fore-sight and graduated flip up ladder rear sight. It has original undamaged walnut stock and is fitted with sling swivels. The steel trigger guard tang is numbered 25439. Its lift-up trapdoor action 'Monkey Tail' breech functions as it should and has Westley Richards maker detail which is repeated on the action plate. The action is dated ‘1880’. The rifle has its original iron clearing rod. The rifle’s loading & firing actions work crisply. The price for this Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' carbine includes UK delivery. NB As an obsolete calibre antique percussion weapon no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. A 1101

£1,375.00