The makers have kindly confirmed that this best quality rifle was sold to a J. Davison Esq. on August 14, 1874 for £52 10s. With blued barrels engraved with a band of stylized foliage at each breech. Broad file cut matted sighting rib with rear sight with single folding leaf and bead front sight. Border and scroll engraved casehardened action with Jones Patent rotary underlever and carved percussion fences. Border and scroll engraved casehardened non-rebounding back action locks each with blued safety catch and signed “JNO. RIGBY & Co.”. Very well figured pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm. In brass cornered leather fitted case lined in red baize, the lid with printed John Rigby & Co. trade label. With accessories including oiler and bullet mold.

This rifle remains in remarkably crisp and little used condition. The barrels retain 95% original blued finish with some muzzle rub and some handling patches fading to plum. The action, locks and underlever retaining 60% original casehardened finish with some fading, engraving crisp throughout. Trigger guard finish faded. Stock with good figure and some handling marks and bruises throughout. Case has some exterior age staining and storage marking, relined to a high standard, one external strap retaining loop unstitched at one side. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.