GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE KEN HUNT ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID JOHN RIGBY SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASE.RIGBYSXS SIDELOCK1829820 GAMODERN; IVORYCal. 20 ga. 3" Chambers. 27" Chopper lump bbls are gold inlaid "J. Rigby & Co 13, Pall Mall. London." in Old English script on slightly swamped game rib. There are 2" triangles of well cut acanthus at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with 1978 London nitro proofs for 3" chambers. SN is stamped on rear lump. Case hardened sidelock action is engraved with Rigby SN on water table, along with "A&S" (Abbiatico & Salvinelli) and their production number "15". (This is one of the first guns made by this prestigious firm after reforming the company to produce only the best.) Action is filed in traditional Rigby style with heavy bolsters to action and carved foliate fences. Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and dbl triggers (front articulated). Action is also fitted with secondary plungers which protrude through water table and interact with cocking rods (assisted opening?). Action is engraved with near full coverage large, open acanthus and scroll, with floral highlights in stippled shaded backgrounds. "J. Rigby & Co" and "London" are gold inlaid on bottom, as well as on front portion of lockplates, which are semi-relief gold inlaid with game scenes. These nicely detailed scenes are of a trio of flushing pheasant in open cropland on left, and a trio of ducks settling into marsh on right. Grass in foreground is lightly gold-washed. This fine engraving is signed by master engraver, Ken Hunt, with a date of ''80, at the bottom of each scene. Trigger guard bow portrays a flying snipe in gold, with SN relief gold inlaid at grip. Beautifully veined, nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15-1/8" over checkered wood butt, and features classic drop points and closely spaced checkering with mullered borders. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.616, right -.616. Bore restrictions: left -.029 (full), right -.011 (Lt mod). Wall thickness: left -.040, right -.044. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. LOP: 15-1/8". High quality oak and brown leather case with brass corners and circular central medallion, is lined in scarlet cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Rigby label in lid. Case contains 2-pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod with mop, brush and jag in black leather wallet, along with a pair of snap caps and a Rigby marked square oil bottle. A covered compartment contains a tweezers type broken case extractor, and the key. PROVENANCE: Griffin & Howe flyer where this gun is listed for sale. CONDITION: Excellent, near new, with only a few light handling marks, mostly along toe line of stock. Mechanically crisp. Case has a number of marks and long scrapes in its leather. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth has some light compressions and soiling from contact with bbls and action. Accessories are fine. "Certifiable pre-ban ivory" bead sight. 49417-27 MGM350 (23,500-33,500)