November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
In 1897, Rigby collaborated with Mauser and became their sole distributor in the United Kingdom and British Colonies, becoming the first of the British Best quality companies to start sporterizing the legendary action. According to Jon Speed's book on Mausers, very early Rigby Mausers were built on the leftover pre-98 transition actions leftover from the German military trials, distinguishable by their lack of escape ports, third lug, firing pin safety lug, or bolt sleeve lock. Additionally, these rifles can be identified by their use of the military floorplates instead of the commercial plate, and use of the small ring action. This example, Rigby number 1059 and Mauser serial number 10, is recorded as a pre-98 Transition action in .275 with Date Made/Sold as August 22, 1898 and is the lowest known Mauser numbered action, listed in Speed's book, page 224. Additionally, this exact rifle is photographed and depicted on Rigby's website under their History tab in the section titled "1897 - Rigby Collaborates With Mauser". Bead front sight on Rigby island sweated onto barrel, top of which is engraved "John Rigby & Co. 72. St James's St. London. Receiver with "WAFFENFABRIK" / "MAUSER" / "OBERNDORF A/N" / "1897" and drilled and tapped for a scope mounts. Military action with stripper clip cutout. Left side of receiver with Rigby number 1059 (under the stock line), Mauser serial number 10 visible on underside of receiver, trigger mechanism. Rigby number also visible on bottom metal when removed from stock, Mauser number on rear of box magazine. Numerous German proofs on underside of barrel, including "10" serial number. Original Rigby peep sight at rear of bolt, regulated to 100, 200, and 300 yards. Stock is British flat top checkering and comparable to examples in Speed's book. Trigger guard with "1059" engraved. Forestock with sling loop mounted in area of checkering, rear of stock with fixed sling eyelet. Steel buttplate. Rigby ledger indicates that the rifle was originally built for a W.H. Fox with a 26" barrel and now has a shortened 21" barrel, had a cross eyed stock, and was built with the Rigby peep. Copies of the Rigby ledgers are included that indicate the preceding information. CONDITION: Very good, retaining the majority of the blue with some handling marks throughout appropriate to a well-loved sporting rifle. Legends have been accented with white infill. Stock is very good with marks from handling and field use throughout, although area underneath shank appears to have been opened up later as inletting is somewhat crude and MarineTex or equivalent is visible. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with strong rifling. This is a very rare opportunity and should not be passed on lightly. EMW
Paperwork
Copies of Rigby Ledger