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Lot description
Exceptional Factory Engraved John Rigby & Co. .577 Nitro Express Best Quality "Big Game" Sidelock Dangerous Game Double Rifle with Case The maker has kindly confirmed that this rifle was completed on October 26th, 1925, and was delivered to Sir J. Harrington for the "Maharaja of Kutch". J. Rigby & Co. is amongst the finest makers of guns and rifles in the world and creates nothing but the highest quality pieces with this rifle being no exception to their standard of excellence. This massive double rifle would be well suited to stalking an elephant or cape buffalo to this day, a testament to its exceptional quality. Robert M. Lee indicated that he purchased this rifle from the collection of William Feldstein, known for his part as one of the minds behind the development of revered .700 Nitro Express. Feldstein was also an avid collector of British nitro double rifles and is known to have taken many elephants, mostly with his .600 Nitro Express and .577 Nitro Express rifles. Built with blued steel chopperlump barrels featuring a doll's head screw grip third fastener, a matted ramped beaded blade fore sight, a sling swivel on the under rib, a single standing express sight with gold triangle regulated at 100 yards on the raised rear quarter rib which is signed "John Rigby & Co. 43 Sackville St. London.", and chambers with automatic ejectors. The rifle displays attractive light scroll engraving at the breech and on the doll's head rib extension, ".577 BORE BIG GAME RIFLE" and "FOR 3" CORDITE CARTRIDGES BULLET 750 GRS." on the left and right barrels respectively, and period London nitro proof marks on the flats calling again for a 750 grain bullet and 100 grains of cordite. The barrels are fitted to the massive casehardened sidelock action with nicely carved leaf fences and Rigby's classic dipped edge lockplates with their house engraving pattern surrounding "John Rigby & Co." signatures on either lockplate before continuing onto the trigger guard, upper tang, and blued toplever and lower tang. The rifle features bushed firing pins, gold centerlined cocking indicators on either lockplate, double triggers, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The rifle is fitted with an attractively figured and multi-point checkered semi-beavertail forend with engraved iron and Rigby patent release. The pistol grip stock is beautifully figured with matching checkering, teardrop carved drop points, horn grip cap, blank gold inscription oval, rear sling swivel, and a Pachmayr red rubber recoil pad. Included is a red baize lined contemporary brass cornered leather flat case with reproduction maker's label containing cleaning fluid, "Rangoon" oil, two ebony handled turnscrews, firing pin wrench, funnel, a set of snap caps, an ebony canister, oiler, an ebony snapping block a fine leather sling, and a full compliment of cleaning tools. Length of pull 14 1/4 inches. Weight 14 lbs. 3 oz. Manufacturer: Rigby John & Co Ltd Model: BG BBL: 26 inch solid rib Stock: walnut Gauge: 577 N.E. Finish: blue/casehardened Serial Number18026 Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun