The makers have kindly confirmed that this best quality rifle was sold in July 1894 to James Hope Lloyd Verney Esq. for £52 and 10 shillings. With blacked barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and respectively engraved “CASE .577 2 3/4 LONG. POWDER No 6 140 GRAINS” and “CANNELURED BULLET 520 GRAINS”. File cut matted rib with bead front sight, blued back sight of one standing and one folding leaf each with platinum inlaid center line and respectively calibrated for “150” and “250” yards, and signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO. 72 ST. JAMES’S STREET LONDON AND AT DUBLIN”. Grey casehardened action with carved percussion fences and rebounding back action locks each with blued blanking plate where a safety catch was fitted and signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO." Furniture including checkered iron butt plate and blued trigger guard. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Barrels and action struck with London black powder proof marks. Finely figured 14 1/4 inch pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, the latter with lever release engraved “RIGBY’S PATENT”. The underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon and sling mount, the corresponding sling mounts is fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 10 lbs. 8.6 oz. In canvas and leather fitted case lined in dark red baize, the lid with printed John Rigby & Co. trade label, and with brown leather sling. The exterior of the lid initialed “H.F.W.”

Barrels retaining 97% reblacked finish, engraved details and signature clear, occasional very slight blemish visible beneath the finish. Action and locks with light grey patina, engraving crisp. Stock refinished with sharp checkering. Exterior of case with age related wear and handling marks, interior lining stained with some mothing to lid, reproduction trade label. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.