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RIGBY HAMMER 12 BORE RIFLE WITH CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
RIGBY HAMMER 12 BORE RIFLE WITH CASE.
SN 12910. (ca 1869) Cal. 12 bore. (.738/.740 groove diameter at muzzles). 26" Fine three stripe Damascus bbls have full length broad flat rib, engraved in English script "John Rigby & Co Dublin & London", mounted with four folding leaf express rear sight marked for 100, 150, 200, and 250 yards, as well as through dovetailed silver bead front. A sling eye is mounted to bottom rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 13 bore, and Rigby trademarks. Interesting Jones type underlever action is marked "E C Hodges Patent" with use no. 35 referring to his double cam extractor of 1866. Action has nicely filed scrolled fences, and molded beads. Non-rebounding bar locks with flat faced high spurred serpentine hammers are fitted with front sliding stalking safeties. Lockplates and hammers are engraved with very well cut small shaded open scroll. "Jno Rigby & Co" is on front of each lockplate. Action is engraved with medium open scroll. Steel trigger guard has SN at grip. Broadly fiddle figured and nicely marbled European walnut full steel trapped capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over checkered and engraved steel buttplate. Stock features point pattern checkering with broad mullered borders, drop points, as well as a sling eye and vacant silver oval on bottom. Matching splinter forend with inset shaped horn tip attaches to bbls with side nail through oval engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/8", drop at comb: approx 1-1/2". Weight: 10 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". Makers oak and leather case with brass corners, is lined in scarlet cloth with paper Rigby & Co label having Dublin address crossed out. Case contains an aluminum 3-pc cleaning rod and two brushes. CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown with fine definition to pattern, over considerable pitting, engraving slightly washed. Action is silver gray. Buttstock retains most of an old oil finish with a number of minor marks. Drop points are worn to almost smooth, checkering re-cut. Grip cap appears to be a later replacement. Newly made forend wood retains most of its orig finish. Checkering excellent. Grip checkering re-cut to match. Stop for side nail is not installed. Bores are shiny and have light rifling throughout, with scattered pitting. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Action is a bit loose. Bbls are off face. Case leather is dark, stained, inset panel on top is missing, as are straps and handle. Interior cloth is fair, considerably soiled. Partitions are good. Case is for a later, longer barreled rifle with third fastener. Except for bbl length, this rifle fits well. A really cool, nicely balanced, bore rifle, by this iconic maker.   4-47098 MGM3