Who Invented This?

[Mark Landskov]

This is a photo of a Westley Richards pinfire shotgun, converted to centerfire. The WR patent toplever would help date the CF conversion to post 1862ish, I would think. Was it for conventional (for the time) shotshells, or patent shells with a nipple and percussion cap? Unfortunately, the pinfire hammers have been ruined.
:corn:

[John Campbell]

Mark:
I'm sure the arrangement is for central-fire cartridges, but the "flat" nature of the firing pins is a bit odd. Probably due to some internal need of the locks. I vaguely recall seeing these before, but can't remember where...

Not much help, I know.

[Dave Suponski]

Who ever did the fitting up did nice work however.

[Mark Landskov]

Here is another view of the gun. There are no maker's markings on the barrels or rib. The Birmingham proof marks are post 1855. In the Winter 2006 DGJ, there are photos of an early WR with this system, but the firing pins are more 'conventional'.

[Bill Murphy]

No maker's marks on the gun at all? My big eight gauge Westley is an 1872 gun and has the oblong firing pins. I have never decided whether it is a pin fire to center fire conversion. If it is a conversion, I can't tell by any lack of workmanship. It is a mint gun and shows no sign of out of factory work. My gun fires conventional Winchester 209 primers just fine and I don't think it was made for anything other than a center fire primer, nor do I think yours was made for anything other than a center fire primer. What is your serial number? Mine is 4371 as I recall. Check the WR website for date of manufacture info. A letter may give you more information.

[Mark Landskov]

The lock plates and top lever are marked Westley Richards. The top rib and extension are not marked. The serial number is on each barrel, along with various proof marks. The serial number is 4262, which dates between 1839 and 1848. This gun has gone through some changes!

[Bill Murphy]

Sources other than the WR website will give you a more accurate idea of when your gun was made. No, sorry, I do not remember what those sources are.

[Mark Landskov]

I just found more dates for Westley Richards. Serial number 4262 falls between 1839 and 1848, AND 1869 and 1875. I wonder if the later dates are correct.

[John Campbell]

As I recall, WR will research a gun for a fee. If that is the case, no better source of information will be available. They may have even done the conversion... which should be recorded as well.

[Bill Murphy]

The 1869 to 1875 would be the correct ones for your particular gun, in my opinion. My 4371 eight is 1872. I would assume yours is a bit earlier. The letter will set you back 60 or 70 BP.

[Mark Landskov]

The lack of barrel markings has me wondering if the barrels are not original WR, or, have been buffed mercilessly. The barrels are off-face, and the extension/doll's head appears to be poorly fitted. I also wonder if the patchbox wouldn't be on a breechloader, unless converted from a muzzleloader. The gun is not mine. I thought it might be an interesting addition to my gun locker, but, there are too many questionable things, especially the barrels.

[Daryl Hallquist]

The gun in question is a typical Westley Richards conversion from muzzle loader or pinfire. They often did beautiful work on the conversions.