JOHN RIGBY RISING BITE HAMMERLESS DOUBLE RIFLE.

JOHN RIGBY RISING BITE HAMMERLESS DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 16122. (Ca. 1890) Cal. 500/ 450 #1. 26″ Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved “J. Rigby & Co. 72. St. James’s Street. London. and Dublin” in Gothic script on flat file cut full length top rib, with rising bite extension. Tops of bbls are engraved “Case 450 Magnum. Powder. 135 Grs. No. 6.” and “Cannalured Bullet 350 Grs.” Rear express sight has platinum lines with 1 standing, 1 folding leaf, marked for 150 and 250 yards. Fine bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into slightly raised portion of front rib. Bbl flats have London black powder proofs for 450 Express, and are stamped with SN and Rigby double-R logo. Sling eye with loop is soldered to bottom rib. Push forward snap underlever action is filed in typical Rigby manner with raised foliate fences, and features an automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), double triggers, bushed strikers, and rising bite third fastener. Typical early Rigby dipped lockplates are engraved “Jno Rigby & Co” on each side. Action and lockplates have 80% coverage of very well executed medium English scroll. Nicely marbled and figured European walnut full pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over thick Silvers type pad, and features drop points, 22 LPI checkering with mullered borders, checkered steel grip cap, and sling eye with loop. Matching full splinter forend fastens to bbl with front lever, which is engraved “Rigby’s Patent” at its base. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 15.7 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 90% original blue, with some areas of slight pitting. Top rib has been drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Plug screws have been fitted. Action retains 40-50% original case color, silvered on fences, beads, and bottom. Lockplates retain 85% of their case color. Trigger guard and opening lever have about 20% of their original blue. Stocks retain most of their original finish. Rear of buttstock is a little light, and undoubtedly refinished when various recoil pads were fitted. Checkering is slightly worn, and a bit dirty. There is an incipient crack running from rear of tang around to drop point on left side, which moves a bit when stock is flexed. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Bores are excellent, rifling sharp, with some very slight pitting on tops of lands toward breech end. A lovely old rifle, it should be a great shooter, by one of the most respected rifle makers of all time. 4-39026 MGM154 (12,500-17,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

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
	1246	$0.00	JOHN RIGBY RISING BITE HAMMERLESS DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 16122. (Ca. 1890) Cal. 500/ 450 #1. 26″ Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved “J. Rigby & Co. 72. St. James’s Street. London. and Dublin” in Gothic script on flat file cut full length top rib, with rising bite extension. Tops of bbls are engraved “Case 450 Magnum. Powder. 135 Grs. No. 6.” and “Cannalured Bullet 350 Grs.” Rear express sight has platinum lines with 1 standing, 1 folding leaf, marked for 150 and 250 yards. Fine bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into slightly raised portion of front rib. Bbl flats have London black powder proofs for 450 Express, and are stamped with SN and Rigby double-R logo. Sling eye with loop is soldered to bottom rib. Push forward snap underlever action is filed in typical Rigby manner with raised foliate fences, and features an automatic safety (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), double triggers, bushed strikers, and rising bite third fastener. Typical early Rigby dipped lockplates are engraved “Jno Rigby & Co” on each side. Action and lockplates have 80% coverage of very well executed medium English scroll. Nicely marbled and figured European walnut full pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over thick Silvers type pad, and features drop points, 22 LPI checkering with mullered borders, checkered steel grip cap, and sling eye with loop. Matching full splinter forend fastens to bbl with front lever, which is engraved “Rigby’s Patent” at its base. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 15.7 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 90% original blue, with some areas of slight pitting. Top rib has been drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Plug screws have been fitted. Action retains 40-50% original case color, silvered on fences, beads, and bottom. Lockplates retain 85% of their case color. Trigger guard and opening lever have about 20% of their original blue. Stocks retain most of their original finish. Rear of buttstock is a little light, and undoubtedly refinished when various recoil pads were fitted. Checkering is slightly worn, and a bit dirty. There is an incipient crack running from rear of tang around to drop point on left side, which moves a bit when stock is flexed. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Bores are excellent, rifling sharp, with some very slight pitting on tops of lands toward breech end. A lovely old rifle, it should be a great shooter, by one of the most respected rifle makers of all time. 4-39026 MGM154 (12,500-17,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 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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