GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
RIGBY HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE OWNED BY THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND WITH CASE.RIGBYSxS DBL RIFLE15769500/450 #1Cal. 500/ 450 #1. 26" Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved in old English script "John Rigby & Co Dublin & London" on full length matted rib which holds one standing, three folding nested leaf rear, and front faux ivory bead sights. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs and with Rigby's "RR" trademark. Round bodied Jones underlever action has well filed fences and is fitted with peninsula rebounding back locks, with rear sliding safeties that engage at half cock. Thomas Bissell's number "1507" is on breechface. Action and locks are engraved with 60% coverage very well cut varying sized shaded scroll. "J. Rigby & Co" is in English script at the top of each lockplate. Nicely streaked and somewhat burl 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 sling eye is on toe line. Matching splinter forend has forward pivoting release marked "Rigby's Patent". Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Neutral cast. Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Old leather case with stitched leather corners and central brass medallion engraved "D.H." is lined in green velvet and has reproduction Rigby paper label in lid. Case contains 2-pc small bore rosewood and brass cleaning rod with short handle, with brush, and jag, and a square oil bottle. PROVENANCE: Factory letter with specs and stating that there was a notation that the rifle was in the Dublin store as of March 1886, shipped to London November 1888, and sold to the Duke of Sutherland Aug 10 1889. Wikipedia info on George Sutherland - Leveson - Gower third duke of Sutherland, 1828 - 1892. Among other endeavors, he accompanied the Prince of Wales on his state visit to India in 1876. Also there are pages from an article in the 29th edition of THE GUN DIGEST where this rifle is pictured and described. CONDITION: Good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain approx 90% of a shiny re-black over some marks, edges of engraving somewhat softened. Action and locks retain 20 - 30% orig case hardening color. Hammers re-colored and retain over 90% of that color. Stocks retain nearly all of a glossy varnish finish with a number of subsequent marks. Checkering re-run with some subsequent wear. Bores are good, rifling strong. Right bbl is considerably pitted, left frosted. Action is tight. Bbls are slightly off face. Locks are good. Left hammer is somewhat loose on tumbler. Cartridge rim cuts on breech end of bbls and extractors are extremely deep. This alteration appears to have been done recently, resulting in considerable excess head space. Rifle should not be fired until this is repaired. Case leather is good, has been stabilized, over considerable chipping on edges, marks, and rubs. Newer straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is very good with compressions and rubs. Accessories are good. 51736-1 MGM106 (6,000-10,000)