No more plain rifles for me, boys…

CBeck · Mar 5, 2025

… From this point forward, they will be known as special colonial quality.

The Special Colonial Quality .318 / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

For the most part, guns and rifles made in England between the two world wars were all made to a very high level. Because quality was so

www.westleyrichards.com

Sure has a lot better ring than plain Jane!

franzfmdavis · Mar 5, 2025

I love it! Learning the rich history behind these utilitarian objects is one of my favorite pastimes.

CBeck · Mar 5, 2025

franzfmdavis said:
I love it! Learning the rich history behind these utilitarian objects is one of my favorite pastimes.

I’m embarrassed to say I often scroll through photos on the internet which is how I stumbled on this particular article. I found it interesting as well. One of my favorite pastimes too!

I thought it was interesting that the special colonial quality were the rifles used while the best quality were often not. Display I suppose?

Ontario Hunter · Mar 5, 2025

I would be surprised to see a Westley Richards rifle made during the interwar period with a Model 70 style safety. Also surprised that they didn't wait till final step to drill out the stock for crossbolts. Note how the hole for rear crossbolt has a recessed pocket surrounding it from sanding down the stock AFTER the hole was drilled. I expected better from WR. Slot screw heads on crossbolts are interesting. Presumably trying to stay period?

Edit: I see now that OP's posted image did not appear in the article he referenced. Is it even an interwar WR rifle. If so, is it original?

CBeck · Mar 5, 2025

LOL. No, that’s just a “plain Jane” ruger I refinished the stock on.

The whole point is “plain” rifles can be beautiful too.

coreydb · Mar 5, 2025

I love the old Musgrave rifles, They're so plain, they're beautiful!

ftrovato · Mar 5, 2025

CBeck said:
… From this point forward, they will be known as special colonial quality.

The Special Colonial Quality .318 / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

For the most part, guns and rifles made in England between the two world wars were all made to a very high level. Because quality was so

www.westleyrichards.com

Sure has a lot better ring than plain Jane!

View attachment 669528

Love my Rugers.... Simple, Reliable and they always get the job done!

CBeck · Mar 5, 2025

ftrovato said:
Love my Rugers.... Simple, Reliable and they always get the job done!

View attachment 669558 View attachment 669559

Beautiful collection. Thanks for sharing. I’m a big Ruger fan too…although the two of yours on the end have beautiful wood and not sure they qualify as plain. Lol

This is the two rifle African set I’ve been working on.

This photo is before I darkened the checkering on the lighter stocked rifle seen above….i think it made a big difference.

Before and after

ftrovato · Mar 5, 2025

CBeck said:
Beautiful collection. Thanks for sharing. I’m a big Ruger fan too…although the two of yours on the end have beautiful wood and not sure they qualify as plain. Lol

This is the two rifle African set I’ve been working on.

This photo is before I darkened the checkering on the lighter stocked rifle seen above….i think it made a big difference.

View attachment 669561

Before and after

View attachment 669564

Nice and I agree on the checkering improvement....

rdog · Mar 6, 2025

ftrovato said:
Love my Rugers.... Simple, Reliable and they always get the job done!

View attachment 669558 View attachment 669559

I love those Ruger 77s

pjaln · Mar 6, 2025

Rigbys tho high in price where probably the least adorned of all the British makers , no horn grip, no horn forend tip ,no cheekpiece ,typical checkering , typical English walnut , it did handle very well because they were trim but most were about as spartan as could be

CBeck · Mar 6, 2025

There was a time I always thought less of simple rifles even though that’s mostly what I have. As I have aged, I have come to admire the beauty in heavily patina, well cared for rifle….whether fancy walnut or plain. I’ve grown to appreciate them all.

No more plain rifles for me, boys…

CBeck

The Special Colonial Quality .318 / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

franzfmdavis

CBeck

Ontario Hunter

CBeck

coreydb

ftrovato

The Special Colonial Quality .318 / The Explora - Premier Online Field Sports & Gun Journal

CBeck

ftrovato

rdog

pjaln

CBeck

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