wymberley Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Guys, As I'm not certain, does anyone happen to know for sure what the 'T' series guns are - these have that letter prefixing the serial numbers? Many thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Westley Richards used a number of letter prefix'es and I have heard several and varied explanations . Some will say that the T meant "Trade" as in a gun destined for sales overseas , but that is not certain . I will ask an old "Westley" hand if he can shed any light on the matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Westley Richards used a number of letter prefix'es and I have heard several and varied explanations . Some will say that the T meant "Trade" as in a gun destined for sales overseas , but that is not certain . I will ask an old "Westley" hand if he can shed any light on the matter Thank you very much, that would be great. Your suggestion is the one I've heard but looking at some that went to India for their 'nobility' (I can't spell the word but no doubt you know what it is), that doesn't appear to make sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 There were trade guns ie, guns that went out to the colony,s , these were usually plain ,often a little heavier than the normal ranges .Not to be confused with guns that were exported to foreign buyers , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Many, many thanks. Your description fits exactly the one that I've been looking at. Unfortunately, I really now need a glass to identify some of the proof marks which aren't too clear and there seemed to be too many and was wondering if there was some re-proof mixed in there somewhere. With a bit of luck I'll get some photos sent down by my step-son. I walked away as it was somewhat 'tarted up' for sale although I couldn't find anything obviously wrong - didn't check the bore measurements and also as it was a 12/1 and marked .740. Once bitten twice shy having been caught out recently by fibre wads/backbore at that figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Just had word back from an old mate who worked for Westley's for 40 years and he has no idea . His only suggestion is to contact them directly but recons they may well try to charge you for the info . Sorry but I have no other ideas and have never quite found out what the prefixes mean myself . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Been looking at one where the serial number suggests c1920, but it's proofed for 1954 on. As said, I couldn't make out the proof marks though so the 12/1 and .740 could (I guess) have meant that the barrels have been reworked somewhere along the line. The stock work could have been done somewhat better and the barrels given a bit of a polish (no more than that though) but over all, it was in good nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Hi The T could possibly be to represent tax as opposed to trade Guns built for export were subject to different types of taxes to those sold locally Just a thought All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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