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39th Classic Auction

AT-1220 Wien, Kagraner Platz 9  

Auction on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 17:00  | Auction ended

Completed | Physical auction
Lot: 609

s/s double rifle John Rigby & Co. - London cal. 450 N.E. 3" 1/4 #17181 § C

Starting price 25.000 EUR
not sold

Barrel length 71 cm (28"), stock length 36 cm (14,5"), overall length 112 cm (44"), weight 4,9 kg, year of manufacture 1904, British proof, condition 2-3
Matted wide rib, engraved maker's name, express sight with 2 additional raised rear sights inscribed 200 and 300 (yds), extractor, doll's head with additional lock for increased safety and reliability (introduced as standard at Rigby after 1920), color case hardened bascule with rim engraving, disc-set strikers, double trigger, sliding tang safety, gold inlaid "Safe", straight grained walnut stock with drop points, pistol grip, rubber recoil pad, oval cheek piece, forend with lever lock, gold stock monogram plate engraved with initials, sling swivels, completed on 12. 11.1904 for Captain R.H. Baldwin, with the following data: Class C Hammerless non-ejector double special rifle. Cal. 450 NE, 28in barrels, 14 1/2 in stock, 10lb-12oz.
The eponymous company was founded by John Rigby in Dublin in 1775. In 1865, a shop was opened in London's St. James's Street and before the end of the same century Rigby completely separated from Dublin. From the work of John Rigby & Co came a multitude of different developments and patents. One of the most prominent of these was Rigby/Bissel No. 1141 from 1879, a vertical/horizontal locking device for break-barrel guns. Today known under the term Rising Bite. The company also developed a large number of high-performance cartridges (.416 Rigby, .400/.350 and .450 Nitro Express). John Rigby & Co was famous for its hunting rifles and was a supplier to the royal clientele as well as to the court of the British royal family. Run by family descendants until 1951, the company was first taken over by Vernon Harriss and later other investors. It also included a creative period by Paul Roberts and a manufacturing period in the USA. Finally, in 2013, L&O Holding, known for Blaser/Sauer/Mauser and others, took over the historic brand. Since then, all activities are again carried out in London as in the best times of the centuries before.