November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
Manufactured circa 1823. All four firearms conform to the specifications of arms that Rigby provided to the Post Office as well as various police units, such as Customs, with 22" rifle barrels and 9" pistol barrels, all 16 bore. All four locks are in the same configuration with tailed pan cover, roller bearing frizzen, waterproof pans, fences, and simple filed cocks. Captured swivel ramrods, normal brass furniture throughout, locks signed "W & J RIGBY". Rifles with Rigby modified swivels capable of accepting a bayonet. Pistols manufactured without sights but with flat top sighting rib, rifles with flattened area over breech. Barrels with simple bead front sight and notch rear sight. What makes this lot extraordinarily special is that as part of the 1843 Registration Act these four guns were registered sequentially "L-Y 9289" through "L-Y 9291" for Londonderry (Derry) on the flat ribs; rifles are also marked on buttplate tangs. CONDITION: Excellent. Guns have been liberally coated in cosmoline or equivalent to protect them from the environment. One pistol has two splits near the lock that appear stable, other has a long crack over sidepanel. One rifle has a few deep dings on right side of stock behind ramrod mouth. Other normal bumps and bruises are present throughout. Barrels are a pleasing patina throughout with some scattered old oxidation, locks are very good with crisp markings. One pistol has the registration marks partially obfuscated by old oxidation but the registration mark is still able to be read when rolled in the light. Actions are crisp on both rifles and one pistol, but pistol with crack at sideplate does not hold on full cock. Bores are very good across all guns with a few minor spots of oxidation. This is a truly exceptional set of Rigby firearms in wonderful condition and part of a matching set. EW
Barrel Length
(A&B) 22" (C&B) 9"
Caliber/Bore
(All) 16 Bore
Manufacturer
(All) W & J. Rigby
Model
(A&B) Police Carbine (C&D) Police Pistol