Westley Richards & Co.
Westley Richards & Co. is one of England's oldest surviving manufacturers of handmade rifles and pistols. In 1812, William Westley Richards founded the company in the heart of Birmingham at the age of 22. His motto from back then »to be the maker of as good a gun as can be made« still holds true today. In over 200 years of handcrafted firearm design, Westley Richards is credited with some of the most significant designs in the history of military and sporting firearms. A total of 115 patents were filed, the two most significant being the patent for the use of a new waterproof percussion cap for percussion weapons and that for the first folding sight, later used by the British Army. The company flourished in the following years and developed into one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality rifles and pistols. It remained in the Richards family until it was bought by Walter Clode in 1957. Today, the company is known not only for producing weapons of the highest quality, but also for an unparalleled level of craftsmanship. This ranges from intricate engravings and embellishments to the distinctive oak and leather cases, all made in the factory in Aston. It takes experienced gunsmiths between 400 and 650 hours to complete a single gun or rifle. Today, a combination of traditional skills and modern technologies is used. Also produced in-house is a collection of high-quality, handcrafted leather goods such as travel bags, cartridge bags and accessories, which, alongside luxury outdoor and safari clothing for men and women, are made from the best materials and with the highest standards of craftsmanship – in keeping with the founder's motto – to be the manufacturer of the best weapon on the market.
