Westley Richards

Westley Richards was founded in Birmingham in 1812 by William Westley Richards at the age of 22. His family background had been in fine jewellery, cutlery and the gun trade. Early in the company's history, Richards coined the motto, "to be the maker of as good a gun as can be made", which is still used to this day.[3]

William Westley Richards was an early gun innovator, creating a number of gun-related patents. The two most significant was the patent relating to the use of a new waterproof primer for the ignition of percussion guns and also the first flip-up sight, which went on to be used by the British Army. Richards opened a gun store in London in 1815 on New Bond Street. The store was owned and managed by William Bishop, who was known as the Bishop of Bond Street.[4] It was stated in a book published by G. T. Teasdale-Buckell in 1900, that Bishop had served as a lieutenant.[5]

Westley Richards' Cavalry carbine, 1865

In 1865, control of the gunsmith company was inherited by Westley Richards, who was the eldest son of the founder. Richards carried on in a similar vein to his father, innovating various guns and registering patents. In 1862, he was responsible for the innovation of the fastening system used on some rifles.[6] His innovations with rifles continued for the next decade, creating the falling block rifle in 1868 and a solid drawn metallic cartridge case.[7]

John Deeley took over the commercial side of the company, with the aim to expand the business from 1871 onwards. These expansions were mainly focused on South Africa and India, both of which were part of the British Empire. Before the Boer War, the two Boer republics' most common rifle was the .450 Westley Richards falling-block, single-action, breech-loading rifle, with accuracy up to 600 yards. It was similar to the Martini-Henry Mark II used British troops.[8][9] A book about the First Boer War, (J. Lehmann's The First Boer War, 1972), offered this comment: "Employing chiefly the very fine breech-loading Westley Richards - calibre 45; paper cartridge; percussion-cap replaced on the nipple manually - they made it exceedingly dangerous for the British to expose themselves on the skyline". [10]

In the decades to come, these expansions proved to be vital to the company's global success.[11] Deeley not only focused on the business aspects, but also worked on innovations. His greatest achievement is likely the invention of the Anson & Deeley Boxlock action, which was revolutionary to gun making around the world. The cocking mechanism was first established in this shotgun. Sporting guns today still use a similar method to release the barrel fall.

Following the establishment of the new type of shotgun mechanism, the company's success in manufacturing both military and sporting weapons saw them move to a new base in 1894. The gun factory in Bournbrook was then established and designed by the architect Charles Bateman.[12] Prior to the turn of the century, Leslie B. Taylor took over the operations at Westley Richards & Co. He was responsible for the ongoing improvement of the boxlock action,[13][14] He was also responsible for the creation of the Explora and Faunetta shot and ball principal.

During the next 50 years and two World Wars, the company survived and pressed their skills into the war efforts. Following World War II, there was a decline in the manufacturing of weapons in general. The war efforts over the past decades had changed the organisation into a producer of military weapons, but due to the end of the war, the demand slowed dramatically. In 1957, Walter Clode purchased the company and was responsible for turning around the fortunes of the company. He purchased the company for £2000 and then invested a further £12000 to get it back on its feet. During this period, he moved his focus to the United States. He restored many old weapons used in India, reselling them as vintage restorations at shows around the world, including Las Vegas.[15]

Simon Clode joined the company in 1987. He became pivotal in re-establishing the high quality products that had been previously associated with Westley Richards. In-house manufacturing was a focus point of his and became a goal when he became managing director in 1994. His father remained at company in some capacity until 2008. In the same year, the company moved to a new headquarters in Birmingham. The building was a former nineteenth-century enamelling factory.

Shortly after the company announced that it would be expanding its operations into the clothing market.[16] The reason behind the move was said to be down to the large close season for shooting in the United Kingdom, which traditionally runs from January through to August. By launching a clothing brand, it allowed the company to capitalise on this slow period.[16] The initial success of the clothing line meant there were considerations to reopen a store in London.

In 2012, the company celebrated its bicentenary, publishing the book, In Pursuit of the Best Gun, written by Jeremy Musson.[17]

One of the most famous guns was created by John Deeley in the late-1800s. Deeley produced the first boxlock action shotgun, which was a hammerless action of a type commonly used in double barrelled shotguns, dating back to roughly 1875. The boxlock action uses concealed, self-cocking hammers in a break-open action. It was strongly opposed by most sportsmen and manufacturers at first, but became the dominant form of double barrelled shotgun action.[18][19]

The 12G Westley Richard Droplock is one of the more famous guns produced by the gunsmith. One of the guns is said to be on display at the Queen Elizabeth's residence, Sandringham House.[20]

From 2009 onwards, the company began to focus on branded clothing as well as firearms. They focused on the hunting and shooting communities, stating that professional shooters and social groups would benefit from another luxury clothing brand in this field.[16]

The product range includes bags and suitcases. Since the launch of the clothing and accessory lines, it is said that clothing now accounts for 50% of the company's turnover.[16]

Westley Richards trade card with Prince Albert's royal warrant, c.1840

The company has a number of royal warrants, dating back to their first in 1840. Prince Albert was the issuer of the first warrant received by the company. Other royal warrants were issued by Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V.

The company also received a Royal Warrant in Persia, from Shah of Persia and the Royal family. The last of the warrants came in 1911, which was presented by King George V.