VERY FINE JOHN RIGBY PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.

SN 12722. Cal. .52 bore. .457 Groove diameter. 8 Very narrow lands, one turn in approx 30″. 28″ Bbls with full length file cut rib mounted with one standing, four folding express rear sight, graduated to 500 yards, and silver front sight in ramp, are engraved “John Rigby & Co Dublin & London” in Gothic script, at rear portion. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and Rigby “RR” trademark. Bbls are fitted with two ramrod pipes with beaded ends, front pipe with sling eye, holding greenheart ramrod with brass head and tail. Breech plugs with plain vented blow-outs, have SNs on bottoms, and scroll engraving on rib extension. Plugs are fitted with square shank nipples. Scroll engraved breech iron with long tang has integral fences. Silver flash guards are at break off. Front action island locks are mounted with tall, serpentine, flat-faced hammers with stylized dolphins heads, and are fitted with front sliding stalking safeties. Lockplates and hammers are engraved with very well cut shaded scroll, as well as “John Rigby & Co” in Gothic script. Unusual trigger plate has fancy filed border extending forward to and incorporating thimble, as well as to rear forming reinforcement for grip. Trigger guard attaches to trigger plate at front in normal fashion, but in front of grip area at rear, in a style that Rigby used through most of its production. Finely figured and nicely marbled European walnut stock measures 14-3/4″ over checkered steel buttplate over 5/8″ extension. Classic flat top point pattern checkering is at grip and forend. Grip cap is of horn. A sling eye is on toe line. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-5/8″. Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. Old oak and leather case, most likely original, with brass corners, is embossed “H. T.” on lid. (Factory letter relates that rifle was sold to a Col. Tower, who also purchased a leather covered oak case.) Case is lined in dark grayish green cloth, with old paper Rigby label on lid. Case contains a steel unmarked (but Rigby type) bullet mold for a long .458 diameter conical bullet, along with a rosewood handled nose pin, and another pin for hollow-pointing, an ebony handled nipple wrench with pricker, leather covered bag-shaped Sykes patent flask with unmarked charger, round pewter oil bottle, and a number of paper patched bullets. PROVENANCE: Factory letter relating history as known, stating the rifle was sold on Sept 4 1866 to Col. Tower of the Cold Stream guards. Price of rifle and bullet mold was 45 pounds 4 shillings, and leather covered oak case was 4 pounds 4 shillings. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain a considerable amount of an old re-blue over a number of marks and light pitting, with subsequent wear. Breech plugs retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color. Locks and breech iron also retain a considerable amount of their color, lockplates fairly vivid where protected. Safeties retain most of their bright blue. Trigger guard and trigger plate retain most of their bright blue, plate extension silvered from normal hand wear. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil finish with a few minor marks, sharp edges retained. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Locks are crisp. Case leather is considerably darkened, with many marks and scuffs. Newer handle and straps are good. New interior cloth is excellent, with a few marks and rubs. Mold is very fine with some heat discoloration. Flask is fine. A well balanced early rifle from this highly regarded firm. 4-50158 MGM85 (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3391

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	3391	$18,400.00	VERY FINE JOHN RIGBY PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES. SN 12722. Cal. .52 bore. .457 Groove diameter. 8 Very narrow lands, one turn in approx 30″. 28″ Bbls with full length file cut rib mounted with one standing, four folding express rear sight, graduated to 500 yards, and silver front sight in ramp, are engraved “John Rigby & Co Dublin & London” in Gothic script, at rear portion. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and Rigby “RR” trademark. Bbls are fitted with two ramrod pipes with beaded ends, front pipe with sling eye, holding greenheart ramrod with brass head and tail. Breech plugs with plain vented blow-outs, have SNs on bottoms, and scroll engraving on rib extension. Plugs are fitted with square shank nipples. Scroll engraved breech iron with long tang has integral fences. Silver flash guards are at break off. Front action island locks are mounted with tall, serpentine, flat-faced hammers with stylized dolphins heads, and are fitted with front sliding stalking safeties. Lockplates and hammers are engraved with very well cut shaded scroll, as well as “John Rigby & Co” in Gothic script. Unusual trigger plate has fancy filed border extending forward to and incorporating thimble, as well as to rear forming reinforcement for grip. Trigger guard attaches to trigger plate at front in normal fashion, but in front of grip area at rear, in a style that Rigby used through most of its production. Finely figured and nicely marbled European walnut stock measures 14-3/4″ over checkered steel buttplate over 5/8″ extension. Classic flat top point pattern checkering is at grip and forend. Grip cap is of horn. A sling eye is on toe line. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-5/8″. Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/4″. Old oak and leather case, most likely original, with brass corners, is embossed “H. T.” on lid. (Factory letter relates that rifle was sold to a Col. Tower, who also purchased a leather covered oak case.) Case is lined in dark grayish green cloth, with old paper Rigby label on lid. Case contains a steel unmarked (but Rigby type) bullet mold for a long .458 diameter conical bullet, along with a rosewood handled nose pin, and another pin for hollow-pointing, an ebony handled nipple wrench with pricker, leather covered bag-shaped Sykes patent flask with unmarked charger, round pewter oil bottle, and a number of paper patched bullets. PROVENANCE: Factory letter relating history as known, stating the rifle was sold on Sept 4 1866 to Col. Tower of the Cold Stream guards. Price of rifle and bullet mold was 45 pounds 4 shillings, and leather covered oak case was 4 pounds 4 shillings. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain a considerable amount of an old re-blue over a number of marks and light pitting, with subsequent wear. Breech plugs retain a considerable amount of their orig case hardening color. Locks and breech iron also retain a considerable amount of their color, lockplates fairly vivid where protected. Safeties retain most of their bright blue. Trigger guard and trigger plate retain most of their bright blue, plate extension silvered from normal hand wear. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil finish with a few minor marks, sharp edges retained. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Locks are crisp. Case leather is considerably darkened, with many marks and scuffs. Newer handle and straps are good. New interior cloth is excellent, with a few marks and rubs. Mold is very fine with some heat discoloration. Flask is fine. A well balanced early rifle from this highly regarded firm. 4-50158 MGM85 (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3391 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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 FINE JOHN RIGBY PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.