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Winning Bid US $1500 First bid $1000 Quantity 1 # of bids 9 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-07-28 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

RARE!! Westley Richards, Monkey Tail Carbine, Royal Gloucester Hussars marked, Cal: .451 (,483 camber), MFG: 1861, S/N: 197, Capping breechloader, 17 1/8'' barrel.

HISTORY: This is one of 60 Monkey tail carbines ordered by the 8th Duke of Bedford in 1861 to arm the Royal Gloucester Hussars. They were issued 6 per troop & 12 per Squadron. Only the best shots were given the carbines to put them to their best use, soldiers would compete with each other with their older muzzle-loaders to see who got the carbines. The units with carbines were always placed on the outer part of the squadron/ troop formation & acted as skirmishers. In March of 1871 the whole regiment was outfitted with monkey tail carbines, & they were to be replaced in 1880 with Snider Carbines.

CONDITION: The straight wrist walnut stock is very good with various nicks, dings, dents, & scratches from use/age. Wood has added oils on it over time. Wood has slightly shrunk from time & the buttplate is slightly proud to the wood at the toe & upper extension of the buttplate. The bottom of the wrist, just below the lower tang, has a faint ''197'' stamp (S/N). The metal has toned to a mix of gun metal gray & light brown patina with spots of thinned blue remining in spots along the stock line, front/rear sight, & protected areas. The lock plate has a arsenal re-blue & rates 90% with some thinking, has light roughness in spots under finish. Most markings are worn/faded from wear & age. The barrel is marked ''.451'' over ''72'' on the left, ''WHITWORTH PATENT'' at the top, & ''.483'' on the right. Just ahead of the rear sight on the barrel is a heavily faded marking, worn illegible, only faint outline remains. The left side of the chamber is marked with two ''52'' bore (gauge), bore measurement, three British proofs, the S/N, & a small ''OO'' over ''S'' stamp. The top of the chamber is marked ''480'' & ''O''. The right side of the chamber is marked ''P''. The top of the breech cover is marked ''WESTLEY RICHARDS '' over ''PATENT'', & the S/N. The lock plate is marked ''WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.'' over ''1861''. The upper extension of the buttplate is marked ''RGH.44'', this is for the Royal Gloucester Hussars rifle No.44. The bore is very good. bright & shiny with some roughness throughout the bore. The barrel holds a barleycorn front sight with a stepped base/ flip up ladder, V-notch rear sight. Base I marked 2 to 4, ladder marked 1 to 8. Rear sight has the leather cover, has two cracks at the top & slightly stiff, still can swing up & cover the sight. The stock carries a steel trapdoor buttplate that's toning to a brown patina, nothing inside trapdoor. Left side mounted sling bar & ring. Rifle has the correct cleaning/clearing/ram rod, & nipple protector on chain. Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 2000 to 6000

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Payment Details See Payment Instructions and item description, or contact seller for more information.

Payment Instructions See item description or contact seller for more information.

Price

RARE!! Westley Richards, Monkey Tail Carbine, Royal Gloucester H... Item # 4435 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1500

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