Game scene rifles of the pre war era have always seemed thin on the ground and outside of the great Mahrajah's and the occasional ostentatious aristocrat, the majority of double rifles tended to be of the traditional house scroll engraved format. An Englishman was far more reserved and refined in his tastes!
This pretty little Rigby in .256 rimmed is one of those exceptional little rifles that you would like to own just because the engraving takes you back to the golden age of big game hunting when the continents of India and Africa competed for the attentions of the avid big game hunter. Beautifully engraved with game scenes of Indian big game including tiger, leopard, black buck, sambar and cheetal deer, all credit must be paid to the engraver who most likely had never viewed any of these game animals live and most certainly not from some download off the internet.
The small calibre of the rifle, single trigger and stepped breach only add to the delicate nature of both the rifle and game scenes. Completed in 1907 for H.H Maharana of Udaipur it has obviously been well used without being over-abused and surely if it could speak would have many an exciting story to tell!
The Bissell or Rigby 'rising bite' third fastener.
Wonderfully detailed Indian big game scenes throughout.
Stepped breach, dipped edge lock plate and single trigger.
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David Hodo on June 3, 2017 at 9:10 am
Trigger,
You have been very busy finding us “new” guns and rifles to rejoice over since the new site has come on line. This Rigby I really like! Oh what a collection I would have if I were made of money! Keep checking Westley’s vault for other “new” finds!!!
David Hodo
Neill on June 2, 2017 at 3:17 pm
A very nice, elegant rifle. The Rigby rising bite is an interesting concept, one they have revived with considerable success. I guess it is rather like your droplocks, a unique feature of the maker.