*TRULY EXCEPTIONAL FULL RELIEF ENGRAVED J. RIGBY RISING BITE DOUBLE RIFLE FOR H.H. MOHAMMED NASRULLAH KAHN.

*TRULY EXCEPTIONAL FULL RELIEF ENGRAVED J. RIGBY RISING BITE DOUBLE RIFLE FOR H.H. MOHAMMED NASRULLAH KAHN. SN 17674. Cal. .350 Rigby (400/350 Express). 26″ chopper lump bbls with file cut quarter rib fitted with one standing, two folding platinum lined leaf express sight marked for 100, 200, and 300 yards. Broad mid rib is inlaid in gold “John Rigby & Co. 43 Sackville Street. London. W.” Silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into nicely filed and stippled ramp base. A broad sling loop is soldered to bottom of bbl set. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, Rigby “RR” trademark, and London nitro proofs for 350 express, 43 grains cordite and 310 grain bullet. Tops of bbls are engraved “Special 350 Bore Rifle” and “For Special Cordite Cartridges. 310 grn. Bullet”. Case hardened sidelock action features automatic safety fitted with push button bolt (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, Rigby’s signature rising bite third fastener, and double triggers. Other typical Rigby features are the “dipped” lockplates, broad screw slots, and trigger guard bow which attaches fore and aft to extended trigger plate. Action is engraved with truly exceptional quality and highly unusual deep chiseled, full relief scrolled acanthus with floral highlights and finely stippled background. Factory letter indicates that this fine work was done by Hayes. (Previous owners note indicates that his further research finds that this was misread, and should be Haynes.) “John Rigby & Co.” is inlaid in gold on raised, scrolled riband on each lockplate. SN is relief inlaid on trigger plate extension. Trigger blades are gold washed. Rifle is also fitted with Rigby’s unique ejector system, with hexagonal nut which can be adjusted to make ejectors become extractors. Beautifully flame figured and nicely marbled Circassian walnut full horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over Silver type pad. Stock features attenuated drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and orig relief engraved steel button set at rear of toe line to attach sling. Matching splinter ejector forend has pivoting lever release bolt, which is also deeply acanthus engraved, and marked “Rigby’s Patent”. Drop at heel: Approx 2-1/2″, drop at comb: Approx 1-11/16″. Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. Makers oak and tan leather case has brass corners. Top of case is embossed “H. H. Maharaja Holkar”. His Highness Mohammed Nasrullah Khan is not the Maharajah of Holkar. The case was likely mated to the rifle at a later date. The lower left corner is embossed “.350 Double”. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with large paper Rigby label. Compartments hold 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod, pair of ivory handled turnscrews, Rigby marked crystal oil bottle, pair of snap caps, horn striker block, bone striker bottle containing spare front sight and screw, as well as two boxes of Kynoch 400/ 350 cartridges with yellow labels. This special rifle, made in 1912, for His Highness Mohammed Nasrullah Khan, of the Indian muslim 19-gun princely state of Bhopal. He was the eldest son of the legendary Begum of Bhopal, but missed out on taking over as ruler of the state in favor of his younger brother under the 1926 Bhopal Succession Act promulgated by his mother the Begum of Bhopal. Nawab Muhammad Nasrulah Khan was born on 3 December 1876 and would have been 36 at the time of ordering/delivery this rifle. It is said that he was a prolific Tiger hunter with over 130 kills to his credit. PROVENANCE: Letter from Rigby with engravers information, and that it was made for “H.H. Mohd Nasrula Khan”. Info about the Maharaja, and previous owners notes on rifle. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of a very professional London quality re-blue. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening color with edges and high points of engraving silvered to very pleasing effect. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig rubbed oil finish with a few minor handling knocks and dings. Checkering is slightly worn, with a number of missing diamonds near base of lever release. Bores are excellent, with bright, sharp rifling throughout, with the slightest hint of erosion in throat of right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Case leather is very fine, retaining nearly all of its orig color, with a few minor scuffs and marks. Orig caliber has been taken out and “350” added in. This case was likely originally for a larger (450 or 470) rifle. Handle and straps are fine. Interior cloth is good, with some rubs and soiling. A number of blocks in bbl channel are missing. Ivory handles of turnscrews are cracked, but otherwise fine, as are other accessories. Undoubtedly one of the finest Rigby rifles in existence. 4-45684 MGM27 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2336	$80,500.00	TRULY EXCEPTIONAL FULL RELIEF ENGRAVED J. RIGBY RISING BITE DOUBLE RIFLE FOR H.H. MOHAMMED NASRULLAH KAHN. SN 17674. Cal. .350 Rigby (400/350 Express). 26″ chopper lump bbls with file cut quarter rib fitted with one standing, two folding platinum lined leaf express sight marked for 100, 200, and 300 yards. Broad mid rib is inlaid in gold “John Rigby & Co. 43 Sackville Street. London. W.” Silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into nicely filed and stippled ramp base. A broad sling loop is soldered to bottom of bbl set. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, Rigby “RR” trademark, and London nitro proofs for 350 express, 43 grains cordite and 310 grain bullet. Tops of bbls are engraved “Special 350 Bore Rifle” and “For Special Cordite Cartridges. 310 grn. Bullet”. Case hardened sidelock action features automatic safety fitted with push button bolt (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, Rigby’s signature rising bite third fastener, and double triggers. Other typical Rigby features are the “dipped” lockplates, broad screw slots, and trigger guard bow which attaches fore and aft to extended trigger plate. Action is engraved with truly exceptional quality and highly unusual deep chiseled, full relief scrolled acanthus with floral highlights and finely stippled background. Factory letter indicates that this fine work was done by Hayes. (Previous owners note indicates that his further research finds that this was misread, and should be Haynes.) “John Rigby & Co.” is inlaid in gold on raised, scrolled riband on each lockplate. SN is relief inlaid on trigger plate extension. Trigger blades are gold washed. Rifle is also fitted with Rigby’s unique ejector system, with hexagonal nut which can be adjusted to make ejectors become extractors. Beautifully flame figured and nicely marbled Circassian walnut full horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over Silver type pad. Stock features attenuated drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and orig relief engraved steel button set at rear of toe line to attach sling. Matching splinter ejector forend has pivoting lever release bolt, which is also deeply acanthus engraved, and marked “Rigby’s Patent”. Drop at heel: Approx 2-1/2″, drop at comb: Approx 1-11/16″. Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. Makers oak and tan leather case has brass corners. Top of case is embossed “H. H. Maharaja Holkar”. His Highness Mohammed Nasrullah Khan is not the Maharajah of Holkar. The case was likely mated to the rifle at a later date. The lower left corner is embossed “.350 Double”. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth with large paper Rigby label. Compartments hold 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod, pair of ivory handled turnscrews, Rigby marked crystal oil bottle, pair of snap caps, horn striker block, bone striker bottle containing spare front sight and screw, as well as two boxes of Kynoch 400/ 350 cartridges with yellow labels. This special rifle, made in 1912, for His Highness Mohammed Nasrullah Khan, of the Indian muslim 19-gun princely state of Bhopal. He was the eldest son of the legendary Begum of Bhopal, but missed out on taking over as ruler of the state in favor of his younger brother under the 1926 Bhopal Succession Act promulgated by his mother the Begum of Bhopal. Nawab Muhammad Nasrulah Khan was born on 3 December 1876 and would have been 36 at the time of ordering/delivery this rifle. It is said that he was a prolific Tiger hunter with over 130 kills to his credit. PROVENANCE: Letter from Rigby with engravers information, and that it was made for “H.H. Mohd Nasrula Khan”. Info about the Maharaja, and previous owners notes on rifle. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of a very professional London quality re-blue. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening color with edges and high points of engraving silvered to very pleasing effect. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig rubbed oil finish with a few minor handling knocks and dings. Checkering is slightly worn, with a number of missing diamonds near base of lever release. Bores are excellent, with bright, sharp rifling throughout, with the slightest hint of erosion in throat of right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Case leather is very fine, retaining nearly all of its orig color, with a few minor scuffs and marks. Orig caliber has been taken out and “350” added in. This case was likely originally for a larger (450 or 470) rifle. Handle and straps are fine. Interior cloth is good, with some rubs and soiling. A number of blocks in bbl channel are missing. Ivory handles of turnscrews are cracked, but otherwise fine, as are other accessories. Undoubtedly one of the finest Rigby rifles in existence. 4-45684 MGM27 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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