Pair of Scarce Rigby Rising Bite Sidelock Ejector Game Guns With Case Once the Property of Lt. Col. Spencer B. Horn MC

Pair of Scarce Rigby Rising Bite Sidelock Ejector Game Guns With Case Once the Property of Lt. Col. Spencer B. Horn MC

01-22298 & 01-22299

Cal. 12 Ga., 2 1/2″ both
S# 16132/16133 (1890)

The iconic Rigby rising bite was devised by Thomas Bissell noted London craftsman, who was the actual maker of most of Rigby’s “Best” guns and rifles. The rising bite was a very strong means of bolting the barrels and was used mostly for rifles. Patent use numbers indicate that fewer than 1000 of these superb actions were made. John Rigby of London is presently reoffering the action after a gap in production of about 100 years. Prices start at 85,000 pounds.

These guns have 28″ dovetailed steel barrels engraved “John Rigby & Co. Dublin & London” in old English script on swamped game ribs. Rear positions of ribs with scroll engraving are gold inlaid “1” & “2” with matching numbers in gold on tops of actions (forends are not numbered and must be matched by S#). Barrel flats are stamped with London blackpowder proofs and 2006 London reproofs for 2 1/2″ chambers (gun #1 at .740, #2 at .729).

Case hardened dipped edge sidelock actions have breech faces stamped with R&B patent use numbers 478 & 479, and Bissell production #’s 2186 & 2187. Rigby S#’s and RR trademarks are on watertables. Actions feature automatic safetys (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), rising bite third fasteners, bushed strikers, and double triggers. Actions are filed in usual Rigby style with relief carved acanthus leaves around fences. Actions are engraved in near full coverage, exceptionally well cut varying sized shaded scroll. “J. Rigby & Co.” is at the top of each lockplate. Scroll engraved trigger guards have S#’s on tangs.

Straight grip buttstocks measure 15″ over Silver pads on 3/8″ hard rubber spacers. Wood on Gun #1 is well marbled and has light fiddle figure, wood on Gun #2 has less fiddle figure and is dark streaked without marbling. Stocks exhibit classic Rigby styling with small drop points and flat top point pattern checkering. Gold ovals on toelines are engraved with the monogram “SBH” matching name on case. Matching splinter ejector forends have forward pivoting lever releases engraved “Rigby’s Patent”. Forends are fitted with Rigby’s unique hexagonal nut allowing ejectors to be engaged or not.

The iconic Rigby rising bite was devised by Thomas Bissell noted London craftsman, who was the actual maker of most of Rigby’s “Best” guns and rifles. The rising bite was a very strong means of bolting the barrels and was used mostly for rifles. Patent use numbers indicate that fewer than 1000 of these superb actions were made. John Rigby of London is presently reoffering the action after a gap in production of about 100 years. Prices start at 85,000 pounds.

These guns have 28″ dovetailed steel barrels engraved “John Rigby & Co. Dublin & London” in old English script on swamped game ribs. Rear positions of ribs with scroll engraving are gold inlaid “1” & “2” with matching numbers in gold on tops of actions (forends are not numbered and must be matched by S#). Barrel flats are stamped with London blackpowder proofs and 2006 London reproofs for 2 1/2″ chambers (gun #1 at .740, #2 at .729).

Case hardened dipped edge sidelock actions have breech faces stamped with R&B patent use numbers 478 & 479, and Bissell production #’s 2186 & 2187. Rigby S#’s and RR trademarks are on watertables. Actions feature automatic safetys (“SAFE” inlaid in gold), rising bite third fasteners, bushed strikers, and double triggers. Actions are filed in usual Rigby style with relief carved acanthus leaves around fences. Actions are engraved in near full coverage, exceptionally well cut varying sized shaded scroll. “J. Rigby & Co.” is at the top of each lockplate.

Scroll engraved trigger guards have S#’s on tangs. Straight grip buttstocks measure 15″ over Silver pads on 3/8″ hard rubber spacers. Wood on Gun #1 is well marbled and has light fiddle figure, wood on Gun #2 has less fiddle figure and is dark streaked without marbling. Stocks exhibit classic Rigby styling with small drop points and flat top point pattern checkering.

Gold ovals on toelines are engraved with the monogram “SBH” matching name on case. Matching splinter ejector forends have forward pivoting lever releases engraved “Rigby’s Patent”. Forends are fitted with Rigby’s unique hexagonal nut allowing ejectors to be engaged or not.

MEASUREMENTS: Gun #1 BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .738″. R. .738″. Restriction: L .007″ (IC). R .010″ (IC). Wall thickness: L. .022″. R .023″. STOCK: DAH: 2 1/4″. DAC: 1 7/16″. CAST: about 3/8″ off. LOP: 15″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 7 oz. Gun #2 BBLS: Bore Diameter: L 735″. R .739″. Restriction: L .004″ (IC). R .010″ (IC). Wall thickness: L .025″. R. .020″. STOCK: DAH: 2 1/4″+. DAC: 1 3/8″. CAST: about 1/2″ off. LOP: 15″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 9 oz.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: guns are housed in what appears to be their original oak and leather two gun case with brass corners. A brass rectangle on top is engraved “Capt. S. B. Horn.” “3rd Dragoon Guards”. (Most likely Spencer Bertriam Horn 1895-1969 a British WWI Flying Ace credited with thirteen victories. He returned to the Dragoon Guards after the war and served in India in the 1920’s & 30’s. It is during this period that he most likely bought these guns second hand and had them refitted for his use. He receive the Military Cross in 1917 while still a Lieutenant and he served in India through WWII.) Case is lined in burgundy cloth and has black leather gold embossed John Rigby 13 Pall Mall label in lid. Case contains cleaning equipment with two piece ebony and brass rod, three relatively new rosewood handled turn screws, four snap caps, a square glass oil bottle and two new plated striker bottles. 

BOTH ANTIQUE