Rigby .303 double rifle questions
I'm doing some research on my family's gun collection that spans 3 generations so far. The first im looking for information on is this 303 John Rigby duble rifle. The stock has many small dings, scratches, etc but nothing deep. The action is tight and the bores are in excellent condition. I'd like to know what model this gun is, approximately when it was made, approximate vaule (I know its difficult to evaluate a gun from pictures) and any other history you folks might be able to supply me with. So far I know it's a rising bite ejector rifle. I was given a guessed manufactured date of around 1903 on another set of forums, but nothing for sure. I hope the pictures come through alright. Thanks for your time.
~Wes
~Wes
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Rigby still sells guns, they have a site johnrigbyandco.com, with apprasiers,researchers the whole nine yards. Beautiful double, I will take a guess no less than $23k. Most buyers in that market want a big bore, but actually I would rather have something more useful like a 303.
Let us know what the value is appraised at, excellent auction gun. Do a lot of research before you ever sell if at all, an error could cost you quite a bit. Double guns have been "doubling" in value every 5 years. You don't get that return at the bank. Pick up a copy of Double Gun Journal, inside you will see many ref articles etc and contacts.0 -
Its a Beautiful Rifle...Contact Rigby direct...is your best bet... 0 -
In the event you decide to keep and shoot this rifle you will need to duplicate the factory regulated load. It may be stamped on the barrels.
The serial number may also supply you with Rigby info on loadings, for some double rifles were built to point of aim to the customers cartridge choice. The powder specified, most likely cordite. is a poor choice with todays powder offerings.
In any event you will be able to replicate this load by reloading and it should shoot close to point of aim both barrels. Do not get discouraged if you have poor results initially. Utilizing modern bullets with controlled expansion and jacket core retention you should come up with a better performing 303 than original loadings. There are authors on Double Gun Journal (excellent book published every three months avail at better book stores), that would more than likely take this quest on for the opportunity to produce an article. Or you could do your own article, you certainly have the photo expertise.0 -
Hello looking at your pictures of your Great Rifle are like being an old man and looking at a beautiful young woman. We know we can't have it but we still like looking. Thanks you have a treasure. 0 -
WOW! That is about the only word I can come up with! That is stunning! What a family heirloom. 90% or better of the 1-2 time posters asking about "family guns" end up being low dollar catalog beaters. This is by far one of my favorites ever posted for sure! Please let us know if Rigby can offer any information to you.
Thanks for posting this,
Ed0 -
Question if you could answer: The raised center button within the thumb safety, is it to function as cocked indicator or safety auto/return?
And the peep sight is there a provision for left/right, and is elevation accomplished by turning? Are there folding sights on the rib?0 -
What a absolutely outstanding piece of family history. Not to mention what a beautiful rifle. Kind of a shame sometimes we don't gravitate back to that style more. The engraving and the wood really shows the class that rifles of that day were. When having a working piece of art in your hands daily to go and work with. 0 -
Hey guys, thanks for all the information. Sorry I wasn't able to get back to these forums sooner. I'll contact both Rigby and the Double Gun Journal this week.
Jaegermister,
To answer your questions, the raised center button on the safety is a spring loaded safety with in a safety. You cannot take the gun off safe unless you press that button down all the way and then slide the safety up into fireing position. I do not currently have the rear folding sights, but I need to contact my uncle as he may have gotten them in his half of the collection. Grandpa knew where everything was... but now that he's gone we are all finding bits and pieces in jars and drawers constanting saying "hmmm, i wonder which gun this goes to." The peep sight I believe was made by a machinest and gun engraver friend of my grandpa. The peep is not adjustable, but adding it to the gun has done no damage to it. My grandfather's friend took the top tang screw out and built the peep sight to fit where that screw went. I think the original screw is at my uncle's house along with the rear folding sights. The machinest built several sights for my grandfather's guns and all of them are accurate. I have yet to shoot the rigby, but given the quality of work he's done in the past, I have no reason to think it would be less on this gun. I know the peep might detract from the value. I'm not looking to sell this gun. When I asked about value, it was for insurance and curiosity purposes.
~Wes0
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