December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
26" dovetail lump barrels with bead front sight on file cut solid rib with express rear sight, one standing sight marked "100 Yds" with silver express line and folding leaf marked "300" with silver express line. Address "John Rigby & Co 72 St. James's Street London" on rib in old English script. Lightly dressed at the breeches. Underside of barrels with "2427", "S", and "A&T" stamp. Barrel flats with appropriate British London proofs for .303 British, "43R", serial number, and Rigby trademark. Splinter tip forearm with Rigby patent rotary opener, which is engraved as such, along with a checkered tip and light florals. Exterior of iron with shell motif and lined border. Forearm checkered in point pattern. Interior of iron and lever with serial number. Action flats with serial number, London proof, and Rigby trademark. Case colored receiver and back action peninsula locks with exposed hammers engraved with flowing acanthus, and signed on lock plates "John Rigby & Co" in English script. Stalking safeties. Fish form hammers engraved en suite with tall cocks. Double triggers with fore trigger checkered. Rotary underlever numbered on interior. Pistol grip with dark cap with point pattern checkering at wrist. Lovely, well marbled and fiddlebacked stock with floral engraved sling screw at belly. Checkered buttplate with heel with scroll. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels are very good with some rubs and marks throughout from handling and use, particularly at matting. One area of old pitting underneath forearm. Forearm is very good with good wood-to-metal fit and a few handling marks, some checkering heads marred. Possibly had an extra layer of varnish or oil added at one point as it is shinier than rest of wood. Action is excellent, retaining much of the case coloring which has started to fade, more vibrant in protected areas such as under lever. Stock is very good with excellent wood-to-metal fit and a few handling marks throughout. Wood has shrunk away a bit from buttstock, which is very good and retains much of the high polish blue with a few spots of patina, mostly towards top and bottom. Mechanically fine, bores are excellent, bright and shiny with strong rifling, somewhat softened. This is a really great rifle by one of the best makers.