Outstanding Antique Westley Richards 12 Ga SXS Hammer Crab Knuckle Shotgun

Serial #12006, 12 Gauge (2 ½” chamber), 30 inch thumb print Damascus pattern barrels with bright, excellent bores choked cylinder and cylinder.  Manufactured in London by Westley Richards this beautiful double hammer gun bears the early 170 New Bond St. address on the rib (the company address was renumbered to 178 New Bond St. in 1880) and incorporates features that make it a circa 1864-1870's production.  The forearm has the unique “Crab Knuckle” or “Crab Joint”  with wood over wood concealing the hinge joint with the forearm piece secured to the barrel with a wedge.   The opening lever is a very early Westley Richards type patented in 1864 where the lever rotates right to operate the removal of the top-bolt from its slot which secures the dolls head extension from the rib.   The center fire shotgun bears some features of the earlier pin-fire shotguns but is a transitional type with beautiful rebounding fish head sculpted hammers that strike slightly angled firing pins.  It remains in excellent condition and likely did not see much use.  The browned barrels retains virtually all of the beautifully detailed “Thumbprint” Damascus pattern free of any dents with only a few scattered freckles and slight wear at the muzzle.  The frame, side plates, lever, and hammers retains perhaps 75-80% of the original vibrant case-hardened colors.  The trigger guard has about half of the original vibrant nitre blue.  The internal surfaces retain virtually all of the vibrant colors - even the firing pin bushings!   The well figured and checkered European Walnut stock and forearm are nearly excellent with very minor scratches, bruises and other light use and storage marks with one old 1 1/2” long wood sliver missing on the right side between the side plate and barrel.  It has a horn tip on the forearm and a 3/4” thick horn butt plate.  The barrels are on face with a tight lock up and the hammers cock properly and release with a  crisp trigger pull.  The LOP is 14” with drops of 1 3/4” and 2 3/4” to the comb and heel.  A beautiful example of the fine craftsmanship of Westley Richards Company guns.  Antique