Patiala's 12g Westley Richards Explora

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Friends,
Thank you for welcoming me to your wonderful forum. Since many of you have asked to see pictures of the 1905 Westley Richards Explora, I have posted them here.











Also attached is a beautiful 20-21 bore howdah pistol made by Robert S. Garden of England. It's dated from 1865-1872. The pistol has no association with Patiala or others, but it's a beautiful example of the English gunmakers art at it's finest hour.






I collect a variety of guns (mostly handguns) from Colt SAA's, Luger's, Colt Python's, and 1911's. Not to mention the unusual stuff, like the English guns.

Colt saa's are a favorite. This one is from 1958.


Thanks for letting me join the party!!

Raj

[b.baracho]

Great collection bro one great advantage of living in the states.

[shooter]

wow! man im drooling already. well done.

[mundaire]

One word... beautiful! Really appreciate the fact that you have not tried to "freshen it up" but have in stead kept it "original" BTW, is the pad a later addition?

Cheers!
Abhijeet

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Abhijeet,
In my personal opinion, I don't think the recoil pad was changed, the patiala family were/are very tall, especially Bhupinder Singh at 6'4", and his rifles and shotguns were specially made for his large size. As you can see from the pictures, the stock on this gun is very canted and suited for a very large man and the length of pull is suiting a very large man too. Even the initials (not seen in the pictures) YKS (Yadvindra Singh) are still clearly visible in the silver stock inlay.

Some experts believe this gun has withstood those types of changes and improvements throughout the years, like a time traveler. When Westley Richards made improvements to their guns many customers wanted their older guns updated with those improvements. For example, many early guns with 2 piece floorplates were converted to the hindged plate design just to freshen up the gun as it was a good improvement.

Raj

[Sakobav]

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the guns Congrats Raj

Cheers

[gatsby]

Very interesting Explora. Do you shoot and reload for the gun and ,if so, have you had luck in regulating it?

[badshah0522]

Excellent Collection..

[mashh1]

Raj
beautiful guns you got there, and thanks for sharing. i also happens to have a COLT SAA 1st Generation & a Luger & they are fine handguns but your howdah pistol is great.
regards

[herb]

Thanks Raj for posting the pictures of these fine guns. Glad that this Explora is still is owned by someone with an Indian connection who knows and appreciates its history.

Herb

[art_collector]

Simply Stunning......I have never seen anything like this in an original case before.

AC

[HSharief]

Very beautiful guns.

[art_collector]

Pictures of another Patiala DB Rifle....







Really have no clue who owns it now.

[msandhu]

Raj,
Thanks for sharing pictures of these beautiful guns. You have a very valuable collection. If you do not mind, can i ask where in US are you located?
Cheers
Mandeep

[mundaire]

Nice gun AC, though much too bling bling for my taste, especially that portrait! Not that I could afford something like this anyway From the B&W photo I take it this gun passed through your hands quite a while back - what make/ calibre was it?

Cheers!
Abhijeet