April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
(ca 1867) This very late built percussion gun started life as a 16 bore flint gun by Joseph Manton. 30 -7/8" Skelp twist barrels are engraved "Joseph Manton, Maker to His Majesty" on Manton style elevating rib. Rigby's used these barrels in completely building remainder of this gun. Patent breeches with scroll engraving on rib extension and vented platinum blow-outs have Rigby's serial numbers on bottoms. Greenheart ramrod with brass head and tail (no worm but has removable cap) is held by two plain pipes. Breech iron with nicely filed integral fences is case hardened and full scroll engraved. Island front spring locks have flat faced serpentine hammers, and are engraved with 90% coverage very nicely cut open shaded scroll. "John Rigby & Co" is in Gothic script on each lockplate. Trigger plate has extended front finial with reinforcing screw. Trigger guard with open scroll on bow has serial number on tang. Beautifully figured and marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 3/8" over blued and engraved steel buttplate with short top spur. Small drop points are behind locks, and deeply cut point pattern checkering is at grip and on forend. Silver flash guards are mounted at rear of barrel channels and stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. CONDITION: Excellent, showing little use. Older barrels retain dramatic brown over considerable light frosting. Breech iron, and locks, retain over 90% original case hardening color. Blue on trigger guard is mostly flaked, with only traces remaining. Buttplate retains perhaps 25% of its original blue, remainder considerably flaked. Stock retains over 90% original finish with a number of light marks and scratches. Checkering is dark, but lightly worn. Bores are excellent, with only a bit of discoloration toward muzzles. Locks should be crisp, but right lock is undoubtedly somewhat gummed with old oil. A superb lightweight percussion gun by two iconic makers. MGM 98.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .019 (R) .020
Model
Percussion Side by Side