Rigby 12 gauge help.

[Brian H]

Can anyone help with some information on this Rigby, model, good, bad, things to look for? I assume can't be worth a heck of a lot in its condition.

12GA 2 3/4" 28", bores are perfect, light pitting on outside of barrels pictured, re-blued at some point, chip out of wood near release, rest of the wood is solid and it has ejectors, LOP without the pad is 14".

Thanks in advance!

[charlie cleveland]

with a little cleaning up that gun will really look good and a pretty expensive gun in her day...charlie

[KCordell]

On the receiver face or water table it should say grade or class with a letter. That looks like a B grade I think.. May have been made by Webley & Scott and finished by Rigby. I have some data but will have to dig it out. Excellent quality, light, well balanced and a joy in the field.

Here is mine. Great sidelock field gun but is in 2.5" Have the factory record somewhere. Sold for £47/5 in 1912 to a land owner in Australia.




Another picture of it in action

[Kensal Rise]

Sir:
This gun appears to be in decent condition, bluing work aside. And is certainly restorable from appearances. Keep in mind that any Rigby is worth such work. chances are the chambers have been opened up, perhaps with a vile "long forcing cone" reamer? If so, the wall thickness along the forcing cone area is critical. Although it has probably been shot as-is with no problems. Also check the usual "ring" of the bbls.

Also check for proper ejector function. These can be a bugger to get right if they don't. Not a job for any but the English gun pro!

Check for cracks in the stockhead behind the lockplates and top tang. They happen on old guns. But are fixable. The butt pad can be replaced easily.

The shop it's in appears rather prosaic. You might get a decent price on this one. And undoubtedly worth it!

Any serious resto of this gun should be trusted to a pro who knows English guns!

[Dean Romig]

Trevallion.

[Brian H]

Well the Rigby showed up today and I am quite pleased. On the forearm and receiver between the firing pins it is stamped "Class B". The serial # is 16,247 with 2 3/4" chambers so probably lengthened but the forcing cone is by no means long or extended. The barrels are 28" long and measure Cyl/Cyl with 0.735/0.734 bores so possibly cut down from 30"? The tubes are tight together at the end so who knows. I took the frame out of the stock and it is in fine shape and has not been abused by a backyard mechanic. Surprisingly all screws are respectable. There is an internal stock crack on the bottom left side between the frame and the trigger plate but in the hands of a good stock guy will be an easy repair. The barrels are tight to the face, the action locks up tight and the locks work flawlessly. The double gun shop says the last gun in 1890 was 16,106 and the last gun of 1895 was 16,410 so simple math says this one was probably 1898. I will try to contact Rigby for a letter. Anyone who can interpret the info on the barrel flats or receiver pictured please do.

Thanks for your advice and help on this one.

[Kensal Rise]

A fine gun indeed ! And don't be too sure the barrels have been cut. Many original English 28 inch guns exist. Your Rigby letter will tell all. Cost about £50 as I recall...

Proofs are London. Barrels originally proofed at 13 bore over 1, finished at 12, with choke. Cyl bores now probably as a result of a light hone.

As you imply, please have a pro stocker with English experience fix the crack. Stock Doctor does well. And don't try to add choke. Cyl is good for almost all shooting!

[Dean Romig]

Or David Trevallion in Maine, who apprenticed with Purdey and worked there as a stocker during the fifties and sixties and to whom now Purdey will send their worst-broken stocks for his artistry in repair.
This is not to negate Dennis' wonderful stock work. He too, is a master at his craft.

[Brian H]

The Rigby was sent to Chris Dawe for a complete restoration. Chris coordinated every aspect of the work including Oscar Cobb on case color and a few favors he called in on a few new made screws with light engraving. Chris recommended a custom horn butt treatment with a widows peak checkered..... he nailed that for sure. The finished product in my eyes is a work of art and was done in 6 months. I really can not say enough about the attention to detail done at Chris's shop. The extra effort he put in to keep me informed during the progress was above and beyond.

Enjoy these pictures as much as I have enjoyed looking at the Rigby in person.

[Dean Romig]

Very nice restoration.