The makers have kindly confirmed that this fine rifle was completed on May 19, 1910 for the Rt. Hon. Viscount Gladstone. Herbert Gladstone, the youngest son of former famous British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, became High Commissioner and the first Governor-General of the Union of South Africa in 1910, the year this rifle was completed for him, and held the position until 1914. The maker’s records confirm this was ordered as a “Best Top Lever Hammerless Ejector Double Rifle” with 28 inch barrels, sighting to be “Std & 2 Lvs No.3V Std roughed with white comp pyram.” and weighing in at 11 lbs. 8 oz. With blued barrels respectively engraved “SPECIAL .470 BORE BIG GAME RIFLE” and “FOR SPECIAL CORDITE CARTRIDGES & BULLET .500 GRS.”, and each barrel 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 one folding leaf respectively graduated for “100”, “200” and “300” yards, the standing sight with composite sighting pyramid and each folding leaf with platinum inlaid center line, and signed in gothic script “JOHN RIGBY & CO. 43. SACKVILLE ST. LONDON. LATE 72, ST. JAMES’S ST.”, the rib with engraved pierced extension for the rising third bite. Action with automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and button release, and blued toplever and blued removable firing pin discs, the breech face marked with action number “2860”, “R & B/PATENT 1141/No. 1016” (for Rigby & Bissell rising third bite patent no. 1141 of March 21, 1879, use number 1016). Dipped edge side locks each signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO.” in gothic script. Furniture including blued trigger guard, dark horn pistol grip cap and red rubber recoil pad. Fine border and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table with London nitro proof marks and struck with the Rigby trademark. Figured 14 1/4 inch pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, the latter with screw grip fastener signed “RIGBY’S PATENT” and selector nut on the iron to disengage the ejector mechanism . The underside of the butt with gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a crowned monogram, and engraved stud for a sling, the corresponding sling mount fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 11 lbs. 8 oz.

Barrels retaining 90% reblacked finish, some muzzle rub and handling fading. Action and locks with faded traces of original casehardened finish, crisp engraving. Toplever reblued, trigger guard retaining 40% original blued finish. Stock with good straight figure with minor handling blemishes, good crisp checkering. Rubber butt pad perished. In very good case with usual age staining and storage marking, lining in very good condition, nice accessories. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.