W.H. Richards Rabbit eared shotgun
Question
Mr.Gage could you please tell me about how much this gun is worth evidentally it was made in Belgium this is the only information I have been able to find on it, someone has told me it was an old stagecoach shotgun, however I am not famillar with it. So any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Randall
Answer
Hello Randall. First, your shotgun was not manufactured by W.(Westley) Richards,the famous English gun maker. Your shotgun was manufactured in Belgium by an independent (un-named) gun maker. It was imported into the United States by H.D.Folsum between 1890 and 1930. W.H. Richards was the name of only one of dozens of shotguns made to sell by various hardware stores. It is possible your shotgun was used as defense on a stagecoach, since stagecoach deliveries were still used in the west up to the early 1900's. As far as a value to place on this gun, I cannot get close due to not being able to see it. Any of these old double's, even wall-hangers, sell from $100.00 to $300.00. Although it is not the $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 Westley Richards, your gun may hold more stories than one can imagine. I hope this information helps and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
Price
J Stevens Arms Co.