Superb Leather Case for Shotguns from Westley Richards

A very good travelling case for a Pair of Shotguns.

Origionaly supplied by Westley Richards at purchase of a matched pair of shotguns, this finely built strong case would protect the fine guns it was made for.  The dimensions of the case show that it would have taken a pair of 30″ barrelled guns.

The external size of the case is 33.1/2″ in length, by 12.3/4″ across and 3.3/4″ deep.  Construction is of oak covered by a thick brown leather. A raised internal lip prohibits water ingress.  The surface of the case have adopted a fine used brown patina which would be impossible to fake.  Two inch wide straps and buckles ensure the case remains shut after the lock and catches have been applied.

Military style brass corners reinforce each corner.  Brass catches at each end of the front face.  A lock, key a/f, is fixed centrally beneath the leather carrying handle.  Pushing the button with key hole in the centre releases the internal catches and allows the case to open.The name of a previous owner; “M.C. CLARKE” is prominantly affied centrally to the lid of the case.  It is fixed by four slotted screws which means this should be removable and the new owners should be able to apply their own brass plate.  There is a modest amount of leather tooling that decorates the case in a typically British understated way.

Lined in green baize with dividers for multiple compartments.  Wear marks, consumate with age and the storage of a side by side pair of guns can be seen and the unmistakable aroma of rangoon oil hints at quality from years past.  All of the lining is original to the case.  The lid displays a superbly aged Westley Richards Trade label, with its own signs of wear.  The label details the trade address of 23 Conduit STreet London and Warrenteed Appointment to King George V.  George V was on the throne from 1910 until 1936 – this gives a perfect hint of this fine cases’ age.

There are two box sections that could originally have had a flat oak lid which are missing (this could be remidied) Apart from that, there is nothing in this case that is wanting for it to be used again for the exact use it was intended all those years ago.  It would take another pair of guns straight away though one might want to research a replacement key with a qualified individual.

£ 345.

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