VERY EARLY JOHN RIGBY “BISSELL” RISING BITE SIDELOCK DOUBLE RIFLE FEATURED IN DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL WITH HUEY CASE AND BRASS, DIES.

SN 15524. Cal. 500/450 3-1/4 Made in 1883, this fine “best” quality rifle has 26″ dovetailed steel bbls, fitted with full length flat file cut rib, mounted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight and silver bead front. Breech portion of rib is engraved “John Rigby & Co Dublin & London” in Old English script, and has large extension for Bissell rising bite. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and SN, bottoms of bbls with “TB”. A wide sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened action features automatic safety, bushed strikers, and dbl triggers (front checkered). Action is also fitted with bar sidelocks with extremely dipped plates and Rigby’s famous Bissell rising bite third fastener actuated by push forward under lever. Breechface is stamped with Rigby and Bissell patent use no. “243” and with “TB” production no. “1364”. Action and lockplates are engraved with 80% coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized scroll. “J. Rigby & Co” is on each lockplate. Fences are nicely carved in Rigby’s foliate style. Nicely streaked and boldly fiddle figured European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8″ over checkered steel buttplate. Rigby’s classic drop points are behind locks, and point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. Matching splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/2″, drop at comb: approx 1-9/16″. Weight: 8 lbs 11 oz. LOP: 14-5/8″. Superior quality oak and leather case by Huey, (no. 1150) has oval brass plaque on top engraved “500/450 – 3-1/4″ RIGBY” “DWC” “SERIAL NUMBER 15524”. Case has blue outer cover and gray carrying bag. Interior is lined in royal blue suede, and has paper 43 Sackville Street Rigby label in lid. Partitions are semi french fitted for action and bbls, and french fitted for high quality accessories, including: rosewood handled turnscrews, dusting brush, and cleaning rod handle, as well as horn striker block, bone striker case, pair of snap caps, and a Rigby marked square oil bottle. Also included with rifle is a set of RCBS custom dies made for this cartridge, along with another custom forming die, bullet mold and patch material, 63 new formed cases, twenty raw .50 Sharps basic cases, and loading data. PROVENANCE: Patent specification papers for rising bite, various correspondence between owner and Rigby’s regarding caliber, which differs somewhat from the standard 450/500 3-1/4″ and was the forerunner of a proprietary Rigby cartridge. The orig owners name is not listed. It appears this early Bissel patent rifle was one of the very first of its kind and intended to remain as a shop rifle, not to be sold to an individual. Further correspondence with John Rigby & Co Paso Robles concerning restoration work. NOTE: this rifle and its use was the subject of a 2-part article in the DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL Summer and Fall 1995 entitled “To Africa With Rigby 400/ 450” by Dave Campbell. Rifle is photographed and described, with description of hunt for various game in Zimbabwe, including eland and leopard. CONDITION: Excellent, near new as properly restored. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine rust blue with a few light marks. Action and lockplates are only slightly silvered with a nicely colored re-hardening. Stocks retain essentially all of a fine hand rubbed oil finish with one or two scratches, edges slightly rounded. Checkering re-cut. Stress cracks behind lockplates have been repaired. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Bores are good with strong rifling throughout, light pitting in grooves throughout. Case is excellent, as are accessories. 49304-1 MGM291 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2223

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Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2223	$34,500.00	VERY EARLY JOHN RIGBY “BISSELL” RISING BITE SIDELOCK DOUBLE RIFLE FEATURED IN DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL WITH HUEY CASE AND BRASS, DIES. SN 15524. Cal. 500/450 3-1/4 Made in 1883, this fine “best” quality rifle has 26″ dovetailed steel bbls, fitted with full length flat file cut rib, mounted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight and silver bead front. Breech portion of rib is engraved “John Rigby & Co Dublin & London” in Old English script, and has large extension for Bissell rising bite. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and SN, bottoms of bbls with “TB”. A wide sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened action features automatic safety, bushed strikers, and dbl triggers (front checkered). Action is also fitted with bar sidelocks with extremely dipped plates and Rigby’s famous Bissell rising bite third fastener actuated by push forward under lever. Breechface is stamped with Rigby and Bissell patent use no. “243” and with “TB” production no. “1364”. Action and lockplates are engraved with 80% coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized scroll. “J. Rigby & Co” is on each lockplate. Fences are nicely carved in Rigby’s foliate style. Nicely streaked and boldly fiddle figured European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8″ over checkered steel buttplate. Rigby’s classic drop points are behind locks, and point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. Matching splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/2″, drop at comb: approx 1-9/16″. Weight: 8 lbs 11 oz. LOP: 14-5/8″. Superior quality oak and leather case by Huey, (no. 1150) has oval brass plaque on top engraved “500/450 – 3-1/4″ RIGBY” “DWC” “SERIAL NUMBER 15524”. Case has blue outer cover and gray carrying bag. Interior is lined in royal blue suede, and has paper 43 Sackville Street Rigby label in lid. Partitions are semi french fitted for action and bbls, and french fitted for high quality accessories, including: rosewood handled turnscrews, dusting brush, and cleaning rod handle, as well as horn striker block, bone striker case, pair of snap caps, and a Rigby marked square oil bottle. Also included with rifle is a set of RCBS custom dies made for this cartridge, along with another custom forming die, bullet mold and patch material, 63 new formed cases, twenty raw .50 Sharps basic cases, and loading data. PROVENANCE: Patent specification papers for rising bite, various correspondence between owner and Rigby’s regarding caliber, which differs somewhat from the standard 450/500 3-1/4″ and was the forerunner of a proprietary Rigby cartridge. The orig owners name is not listed. It appears this early Bissel patent rifle was one of the very first of its kind and intended to remain as a shop rifle, not to be sold to an individual. Further correspondence with John Rigby & Co Paso Robles concerning restoration work. NOTE: this rifle and its use was the subject of a 2-part article in the DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL Summer and Fall 1995 entitled “To Africa With Rigby 400/ 450” by Dave Campbell. Rifle is photographed and described, with description of hunt for various game in Zimbabwe, including eland and leopard. CONDITION: Excellent, near new as properly restored. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine rust blue with a few light marks. Action and lockplates are only slightly silvered with a nicely colored re-hardening. Stocks retain essentially all of a fine hand rubbed oil finish with one or two scratches, edges slightly rounded. Checkering re-cut. Stress cracks behind lockplates have been repaired. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Bores are good with strong rifling throughout, light pitting in grooves throughout. Case is excellent, as are accessories. 49304-1 MGM291 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 2223 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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VERY EARLY JOHN RIGBY “BISSELL” RISING BITE SIDELOCK DOUBLE RIFLE FEATURED IN DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL WITH HUEY CASE AND BRASS, DIES.