This rifle is accompanied by a John Rigby & Co. provenance letter confirming this rifle was sold to Colonel Tower of the Coldstream Guards on 4 September 1866 at a cost of £45. 4. 0. for the rifle and bullet mold and an additional £4. 4. 0. for a leather covered oak case. With blued barrels and raised file cut matted flat rib signed “JOHN RIGBY & CO. DUBLIN & LONDON” and with ramp mounted bead front sight and rear blued express sight of one standing and four folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated from “100” to “500” yards. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug and engraved with a spray of scrollwork on the rib between. Casehardened false breech and side locks, the latter each with blued safety catch and signed “JOHN RIGBY & CO.”. Furniture including blued trigger guard, trigger plate extending to the ramrod entry, and checkered butt plate. Fine border and scroll engraving throughout. Finely figured walnut pistol grip half stock with checkered grip and forearm, the grip fitted with dark horn cap. With original brass mounted ramrod. In brass cornered oak and leather case, probably original, with some accessories including iron bullet mold and leather covered Sykes powder flask, the lid of the case with printed John Rigby & Co. trade label.

Barrels reblued with some minor scattered corrosion marks visible rib signature clear, breeches retaining 60% original casehardened finish, file cutting on rib sharp. Locks retaining 40% faded original casehardened finish, trigger guard retaining 70% original blued finish. Engraved decoration clear and crisp throughout. Stock refinished, minor storage and handling blemishes, the butt has an old matched approx. 5/8 inch wood extension and an old filled knot hole on the left side of the butt. Checkering sharp. Case exterior in good condition for age, straps expertly replaced, interior relined, some age staining to trade label. Accessories generally good to very good condition. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.