GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
TRIM J. RIGBY HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR J. S. JAMESON, SELOUS COMPANION, WITH CASE AND ACCESSORIES.RIGBYHAMMER DOUBLE15515450/400 2-3/8 BPECal. 450/ 400 2-3/8 BPE. 26" Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved in old English script "John Rigby & Co Dublin & London" on full length matted rib which holds one standing, one folding leaf rear, and steel front bead with very large flip-up white night bead. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and with Rigby's "RR" trademark. Wide sling loop is soldered to bottom of bbl. Round bodied Jones underlever action has well filed fences and is fitted with peninsula non-rebounding back locks, with rear sliding safeties that engage at half cock. Thomas Bissell's number "1350" is on breechface. Top tang is fitted with unusual flip-up peep sight. Action and locks are engraved with 60% coverage very well cut varying sized shaded scroll. "J. Rigby & Co" is in English script at the bottom of each lockplate. Well marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over fully checkered steel buttplate. Point pattern checkering is at grip, and a 3/4" steel button for sling is on toe line. Matching splinter forend has forward pivoting release marked "Rigby's Patent". Drop at heel: approx 2-1/4", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Neutral cast. Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Contemporary to rifle, makers leather case is embossed "C. H. A." on top, is lined in scarlet cloth and has Rigby paper label in lid. Case is fitted with an oak lift out tray for rifle and accessories, revealing cartridge storage below with 6 slots. Case contains a rosewood handled 2-pc steel cleaning rod, rosewood handled turnscrew, bone striker bottle, new round oil bottle, leather wallet with mop and two brushes, and a steel mold marked "C Bartels 10-1/2 M" which casts .420 diameter conical bullet with three deep grooves, ideal for this rifle. PROVENANCE: Factory ledger page indicating this rifle was built for J. S. Jameson Sept 15, 1883, also specifying special order peep sight, and two front sights (the plain heavy single hammerless 12 bore was delivered Sept 19) Consignor, a long time collector and former director of Rigby's London before it was relocated to California, states that Jameson was "heir to the Irish whiskey fortune, companion to F. C. Selous, and an African explorer who died of malaria in Africa on the Rear Guard Expedition, led by Stanley to rescue some of the survivors of Charles Gordon's forces. Jameson was one of the great hunters of the era, he hunted extensively in Asia and North America, however Jameson died in disgrace in Africa. It appears he became fascinated by cannibalism and bought a ten year old slave girl to watch her be killed and eaten. Nice guy !! When the British press got ahold of the story they had a field day." In Selous first book "he talks about Jameson coming into camp with his two Rigbys, a ten bore and a .500, while the Rigby records of this period show Jameson ordering a 12 bore and this 400 ? curious ?" "In describing this rifle I always say it may have a Selous connection. It just may be the Rigby that Jameson gave to Selous (Selous simply says in some of his writings that Jameson gave him one of his Rigbys but doesn't specify which." Wiki source info on James Sligo Jameson with more detail of above info. CONDITION: Very fine, mostly original. Bbls retain 85 - 90% orig blue with numerous light marks and scratches. Action and lockplates retain 80% orig case hardening color. Bright blue of safeties is strong. Buttstock retains most of an old oil finish. It appears rifle was stored on its butt in a damp environment, and some darkening of wood at butt has occurred, with rear part of butt refinished and wood below metal of buttplate. Forend finish appears orig, and is very fine. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are excellent, shiny with sharp rifling throughout, right bbl with some light scattered pits toward breech end. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Case leather has considerable marks and scuffing, corners beginning to separate. Interior cloth is good with soiling and compressions and a few cuts. Label is fine, lightly foxed and soiled with a rub-through from contact with lock screw. Accessories are good. 51695-1 MGM109 (14,000-16,500)