WESTLEY RICHARDS - PIONEERS OF RIFLE AND SHOTGUN AMMUNITION

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1 WESTLEY RICHARDS - PIONEERS OF RIFLE AND SHOTGUN AMMUNITION In an era when virtually every gunmaker was loading his own cartridges for some this became an integral part of their business. Whilst a few names spring to mind instantly such as Cogswell & Harrison, Charles Hellis and the Midland Gun Company, one of the most important in terms of innovation was Westley Richards. WESTLEY RICHARDS The nineteenth century saw the rise to prosperity of the gun trade, that of Birmingham in particular, as wars broke out in both Europe and the USA. Armies required huge quantities of arms and Birmingham was in an ideal position to supply them. Whilst the British army was the major purchaser beginning with the Napoleonic War, followed by the Crimean War ( ), most lucrative of all for the gun trade, the American Civil War ( ). Westley Richards, established in 1812, were in a prime position to supply guns for all of these, in the latter bloody encounter furnishing both factions. This was the springboard for their success in future years. Their venture into the manufacture of ammunition began in 1870 as the Westley Richards Arms & Ammunition Company. In 1896 they acquired the business of E. A. Ludlow of Belmont Row as well as the Holford Works site of 33 acres within a short distance of the huge Kynoch factory. Here they developed the solid drawn rifle case and went on to introduce other calibres for big-game hunting. 1/6

2 They became world renowned for their big-game rifles, two of which we will look at in relation to their cartridges. However, in 1875 the boxlock action was invented by their managing director, William Anson, and factory manager John Deeley. It became a watershed in shotgun manufacture, much cheaper and quicker to make than the standard sidelock, and is still used today. As they expanded they relocated from Corporation Street, Birmingham to Bennetts Hill. In 1917 they moved from their London premises at 178 New Bond Street to 23 Conduit Street. They also had a shooting ground at Hendon. Today they have a traditional factory at 130, Pritchett Street, Birmingham where fine rifles and shotguns are still built by hand. CARTRIDGES Over the years Westley Richards offered a large selection of both rifle and shotgun cartridges many of which are eagerly sought by collectors today. First let us look at this firm's "Explora" and "Fauneta" ammunition. These were developed by Leslie Taylor, managing director, prior to World War I. He had already used his "LT" rifle bullets in other calibres, these having a copper alloy cap in front of a cavity which resulted in the bullet expanding on impact. Now he introduced these to his Explora and Fauneta shot-and-ball guns combined with rifled choke borings. The Explora was only made in 12-bore but came as Standard and Super Magnum models. The Fauneta was in 20 & 28 bores and was extremely accurate. Both of these offered great versatility for hunters in Africa and India whereby they could shoot large and small game with the same gun. Around 1912 WR made the "Celerata" cartridge in 12-bore only. This was a general purpose load and cost 10/6d (52 1/2p) per /6

3 The "Special" was also a standard general purpose shell but was available in 12, 16 & 20 gauges at the same price as the above. A long surviving brand which could be classed as their flagship was the "Carlton". In 12-bore it was priced at 9/- (45p) per 100, whilst 16 & 20 gauges were slightly less at 8/6p (42 1/2p) per 100. Interestinly in those days small gauge cartridges were cheaper than 12-bore. Today one pays more for the former. The "Facilita" was a light 15/16oz load, unusual for 12-bores at that time. It had a reduced powder charge of either Schultze, E.C. or Smokeless Diamond. It became popular with sportsmen on the moors enabling them to fire many shots continuously without suffering from gun headaches or bruised shoulders. 3/6

4 Then there was "The Wizard", a brand name which was also used by other manufacturers over the years such as Arthur Turner of Sheffield and, more recently, Frank Dyke's "Yellow Wizard". The name had a mystic ring to it, an excellent selling point. "Wizard" was a term commonly used in bygone days for something that was excellent. Then, of course, there was a Pegamoid cartridge which was widely loaded by major manufacturers and gunmakers, named after its unique six layers of paper, glued together, which acted very effectively as a moisture deterrent. 4/6

5 Alongside this was the "Aquatite" which was also deemed to be "waterproof". Then there was the "Right and Left", another good marketing ploy which would encourage sportsmen to buy in the belief that it was specially designed for right and left success on shoots. Undoubtedly a rarity and not available to British sportsmen was a 12-bore cartridge which Westley Richards loaded for Holland & Holland. These were specially made for H. H. The Ruler of Qatar and the case depicted his shield. This is truly a collector's item. GAME LOAD Moving on to more recent times, the 1960s saw a Westley Richards "Game Load". I recall buying some of these in my early shooting days, a red, crimped paper case (I have also heard that there was a green variety although I have never seen one), headstamped "Westley Richards". Interestingly the 25-carton depicted a portrait of William Bishop, the manager of the company's London premises for around half a century. Bishop was a legend in his day, an eccentric who also organized prize fights. He was greatly concerned about the number of dog thefts and lobbied parliament to make this a criminal offence. He was successful in this and is still remembered for it. The Game Load was available in shot-sizes 6 & 7 and also in 6 1/2. The latter size had been popular with shooters prior to 1939, offering excellent patterns with a little more penetration. However, after 1945 Westley Richards had ceased the hand-loading of cartridges and, like most other gunmakers, commissioned them from other manufacturers. It seems that the Game Load was made for them by the Midland Cartridge Company (see website: dge.com ) Westley Richards were a major part of both gunmaking and cartridge loading. Examples of 5/6

6 their cartridges will certainly add a special interest to any collection. My thanks to Alec Morris for allowing me access to his collection. TOP FACTS 1. Westley Richards were established in The Westley Richards Arms & Ammunition Company was situated close to Kynoch's Birmingham factory. 3. Along with rifle ammunition they produced many different brands of shotgun cartridges over the years. 4. They had premises in both Birmingham and London as well as a shooting ground at Hendon. 5. Their "Fauneta" and "Explora" guns had rifled chokes and were suitable for both solid bullets and shot. 6. Greenwood & Batley, of Leeds, manufactured the machinery for Westley Richards cartridge loading. 7. William Anson and John Deeley, WR's managing director and factory manager respectively, invented the boxlock action which was a watershed in shotgun manufacturing. 8. WR's "Facilita" 12-bore cartridge had a shot load of 15/16oz and a reduced powder charge for comfortable shooting. 9. In the 1960s they marketed a "Game Load" which was loaded for them by the Midland Cartridge Company, Birmingham. 10. Westley Richards have now relocated to premises at 130, Pritchett Street, Birmingham where they still build best quality rifles and shotguns. 6/6