The rifle was noted as manufactured in 1913 and was purchased by Norman Blank from Winfield Arms Co. on May 29, 1958, as shown on the included receipt. It was previously owned by George Horatio Charles Cholmondeley (1883-1968), 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley and Earl of Rocksavage, a veteran of the Second Boer War and World War I as detailed in an included Cogswell & Harrison document. The gold initial oval on the bottom of the stock has an earl's coronet over "R." The rifle features blued chopperlump barrels respectively engraved “SPECIAL .470 BORE BIG GAME RIFLE” and “FOR SPECIAL CORDITE CARTRIDGE BULLET .500 GRS.”, and each barrel is engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. Raised flat file cut matted rib with ramp mounted bead front sight, rear sight of one standing and two folding leaves respectively graduated for “100”, “200” and “300” yards and inlaid with platinum sight lines, and signed in Gothic script “John Rigby & Co: 43. Sackville St. London.” The rib also has scroll engraving to the extension. The underside of the barrels are struck with London nitro proof marks, including the notation "CORDITE 75-500 MAX" and also struck with the Rigby trade mark. The casehardened treble grip action has a manual safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” with button release and a blued toplever. The breech face is marked with the action number “2936” and fitted with blued removable firing pin bushings. The side locks are each signed “Jno. Rigby & Co." in Gothic script. The furniture includes a casehardened trigger guard, dark horn pistol grip cap, and rubber recoil pad. There is fine border and scroll engraving throughout. The forearm release lever is signed “RIGBY’S PATENT." sling swivels are fitted to the bottom of the barrels and butt. With original brass cornered oak and leather fitted case lined in red baize, the lid with Rigby trade label, and accessories including snap caps, glass oiler, snapping block, and bone striker pot containing spare blued firing pins, spare firing pin springs, and spare front sight. Length of pull: 15 1/8 inches. Weight: 11 lbs. 9 oz. Provenance: The Collection of George Horatio Charles Cholmondeley, 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley and Earl of Rocksavage; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine, retaining 85% plus blue finish with some fading mainly on the breech end of the barrels, 90% plus vivid case colors, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The wood is also very good and has crisp checkering, a minor crack in the grip cap, and a few marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is internally very good, and the accessories are also very good. Externally, the leather has dried out and has handling wear to the edges, hinges, and straps. One strap is incomplete. Overall, a very attractive Rigby .470 Nitro Express Double Rifle.