February 24-26th 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2017
Double rifle has a barrel address of, "J. Rigby & Co 43 Sackville London Late St. James St". Rifle was manufactured between 1914 and 1920. This world famed firm had been in existence since the early 19th century and to become world famous. They were located at St. James St from 1866 - 1907 and were located at 43 Sackville St. from 1908 - 1955. They were established in Dublin in 1775. The blued double barrels retain approx. 60% original blue starting to thin, turning silver 11" from breech. Barrels are equipped with the full solid matted rib to front ramp sight. Has three leaf folding rear express sight to 300m with platinum lines. Right barrel is stamped, "For Special Cordite Cartridges & Bullet. .500 Grains". Left barrel is stamped, "Special .470 Bore Big Game Rifle". All matching numbers. Barrels have a sling swivel. Water table has all pertinent information. Has strong, clean rifled bores with two heavy snap caps. Auto ejectors. Small 7 - 1/4" beautifully checkered dark walnut forend. Furniture is engraved, forend release lever moves to the left to remove forarm. Has a boxlock action stamped, J Rigby & Co. with border engraving. Top tang safety. Retains approx. 10-15% case colors, balance is patterened out. Has engraved blued trigger guard, double set triggers. Has case colored grip strap, brown solid rubber recoil pad, stock has sling swivel and silver ID plaque. Lovely oil finished, walnut stock with finely checkered pistol grip. Wrist had a hair line crack that was reinforced and repaired, but is nearly impossible to detect. This is a beautiful, all original, J. Rigby & Co. side by side rifle.
CORRECTION: From factory record No. 17572, action number 12294 was shipped to Count J. de Madre, and was a Class C hammerless ejector double rifle, .470 caliber, 28” barrels, 10 lbs. 12 oz. 14 ¼” pull including the pad. Count de Madre was a French polo player and he competed in the Summer 1900 Olympics.