Westley Richards Two-Barrel Take-Down Rifle
Westley Richards & Co. · Rifle · In Production · 1938
Also known as: Westley Richards Take-Down Magazine Rifle, Westley Richards Detachable Two Barrel Magazine Rifle
Overview
The Westley Richards Two-Barrel Take-Down Rifle is a bespoke bolt-action dangerous-game rifle built on a Mauser '98 double square bridge action at the maker's Birmingham factory. Its defining feature is a screw-thread take-down system, released by a Deeley forend catch, that lets the shooter swap between two interchangeable 24-inch barrels, each supplied with its own forend and sights and regulated to place three shots touching at the sight-in distance. Commonly configured with one barrel in .375 H&H Magnum and a second in a companion chambering such as .300 Winchester Magnum, the rifle packs into a compact case for travel and rebuilds to full accuracy in a few turns of the hand.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4000 g (141.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1120 mm (44.09") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 823 m/s (2700 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 6585 J (4857 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .375 H&H Magnum · primary — also known as .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, .375 Belted Rimless Nitro Express
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Three Position Safety
- Features: Interchangeable Barrels, Screw Thread Takedown, Deeley Forend Catch, Double Square Bridge, Cheek Piece, Pistol Grip, Leather Recoil Pad, Scope Ready
Production
Production years: 1938-present
Built to order as bespoke commissions; no series production figures published
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Westley Richards & Co.
Notes
The screw-thread take-down pattern has been used by Westley Richards since 1938. Each rifle is a hand-built commission finished with deluxe walnut and scroll engraving; the second barrel may be chambered in a range of calibres to suit the client.
Background
Designed for the travelling sportsman, the two-barrel take-down lets a single rifle cover everything from plains game to the largest dangerous game by exchanging barrels, an idea Westley Richards has refined on its take-down actions since before the Second World War.