The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of rifles were completed in December 1890 at a cost of £52. 10 shillings each. With blued barrels signed “JOHN RIGBY & Co. DUBLIN & LONDON” on the raised flat file cut matted rib. Bead front sight and rear sight of one standing notch and one folding notch leaf each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 250 yards. Each barrel is engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and respectively engraved “CASE – W.R. No.2 POWDER 132 GRS.” and “CANNELURED BULLET 400 GRS.”. The underside of the barrels struck with London black powder proof marks and Rigby trademarks. Casehardened border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences, the water table struck with Rigby trademarks. Casehardened rebounding backaction locks each signed “J. RIGBY & Co.” in Gothic script. Furniture comprising blued border and scroll engraved trigger guard and checkered blued heel plate. Well-figured 14 1/2 inch pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, dark horn pistol grip cap, engraved rear sling stud to the underside of the butt and the right face of the butt is stamped with the rack number “13”. Weight 10 lbs. 1 oz.

Fine. The barrels retain 95% thinning older reblued finish with clear engraved details, signature on rib slightly softened. There are some storage scratches to the finish, mostly light. Action, locks and furniture retaining 99% renewed finish with crisp engraving, some engraving almost certainly benefitting from having been refreshed. Expert replacement stock with crisp checkering and a wedge repair on the pistol grip. Mechanically excellent.

Of similar form to “A”. The barrels are respectively engraved “CASE 500/450 POWDER 132 GRS.” and “CANNELURED BULLET 350 GRS.” and the right face of the butt is stamped with the rack number “10”. Weight 8 lbs. 10 oz. In recent Huey brass cornered oak and leather double fitted case lined in green baize with some accessories. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

In similar condition to “A” but retaining its original stock which has been cleaned and reoiled with some scattered minor age related blemishes, slight chipping at the joints throughout, and a wedge repair on the pistol grip with a loose grip cap. The trigger guard has been casehardened rather than blued, and the heel plate is mostly without finish. The case is in excellent condition with minor storage marking to the exterior.