The Westley Richards Westley Richards Droplock 12ga is a Antique first produced in 1888. It carries a scarcity score of 95/100 based on tracked survey data, with 3 active listings currently on the secondary market and a global benchmark price of $164,356.
The Westley Richards Droplock action, patented by J. Deeley and L. Taylor in 1897 (though this particular firearm predates the patent, suggesting it's an earlier iteration or prototype), was a revolutionary design in shotgun mechanics. Its detachable lock plate allowed for easy inspection and maintenance of the firing mechnism, offering significant advantages to sportsmen in the field. This 1888 example represents an early production of this iconic system, pushing the boundaries of shotgun design at the time.