The Westley Richards Westley Richards Droplock 12ga SxS Ser. 4450 is a Shotgun first produced in 1936. It carries a scarcity score of 85/100 based on tracked survey data, with 5 active listings currently on the secondary market and a global benchmark price of $132,318.
The Westley Richards droplock is a side-by-side double shotgun action developed by the venerable Birmingham gunmaker in the early twentieth century, distinguished by its removable, hand-detachable lock plates that allow the shooter to service or replace the firing mechanism in the field without a gunsmith's tools. Westley Richards, founded in 1812, built its reputation on such innovations, and the droplock system became one of the firm's signature features, offered on its finest bespoke best-grade guns for discerning game shooters. This 12-gauge example, produced in 1936, dates from the interwar period when British best-gun makers continued to supply a global clientele of sportsmen despite the economic pressures of the era. As a hand-built product of one of England's most storied gunmaking houses, this shotgun reflects the pinnacle of traditional British side-by-side craftsmanship.