John Rigby | Dogs and Doubles

See this week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …

January 16, 2023 by Gregg

JULES BURY BEST SIDE-BY-SIDE SIDELOCK SHOTGUN: From Liege in Belgium and hand finished by one of Belgium’s most distinguished gunmakers Lebeau Courally. H&H style action with exquisite engraving and beautiful wood. Manufacturer: Jules Bury Model: Best Caliber Info: 12 Gauge Ejectors: Yes Condition: New Metal Condition: New Barrels: 28 3/8″ Action: Sidelock: Side by Side Triggers: Double Gauge: 12 Gauge Stock Comb: 1 1/2″ Stock Heel: 2 1/4″ Stock Cast: Off Fore End: Splinter LOP: 14 3/4″ Rib: Concave File Cut Chokes: IC/M Price: $22,050*

John Rigby & Co. SxS Hammer Dbl. Rifle: #1220A JOHN RIGBY & CO. DBL. RIFLE,450 X 3 1/4”, SN 156XX, 26” bbl., receiver nicely engraved in a floral pattern, outside hammers with hammer safeties, folding peep sight folds to use open sights, 2 leaf rear sight, ivory bead front sight, checkered PG stock with PG cap, checkered steel buttplate, rib marked “John Rigby & Comp. Dublin & London”, exc. bores, 99% blue on bbls., 95% casehardening colors on receiver thinning, retracking firing pins, oak & leather John Rigby & Comp. case with label inside lid, complete with mold, cartridges & re & decapper, bullet seating tool, extra parts in ivory container, top of case stamped with “JA Jameson”. Antique: Yes Rifle Caliber: .450/400 3 1/4″. Price: $12,000*

Parker – GHE Grade, SxS, **RARE #1 Frame**, 12ga. 28″ Barrels Choked F/F:
Special steel barrels, perfect untouched screws, 20% case color hardening, numerous small nicks in wood, dogs head butt plate, double trigger, auto ejector, splinter forend, completely original gun, pistol grip, just a very nice honest gun from an estate, very nice condition. 6 lbs. 12 oz. 14″ x 1 3/4″ x 3″ Price: $5,250*

Browning Superposed Superlight 20 ga Grade 1 OU Shotgun: Offered for sale is a 20-gauge Browning Belgium Superposed Superlight manufactured in 1970. This dynamic upland bird gun has 26 ½ inch vented rib barrels, choked Improved Cylinder/Modified, 2 ¾ inch chambers. This Superlight sports a rounded frame, a slim field forearm, a straight walnut stock with a long tang trigger guard, safety tang with barrel selector, rubber recoil pad and grade 1 scroll engraving. The stock measures LOP 14 ½, DAC 1 1/2 and DAH 2 1/8. Overall, this gun weighs in at 6 lbs. This shotgun has a little character wear at the carry points and few scratches from days in the field but overall this is a nice Superposed that locks up good and tight. Shotgun Gauge: 20 Gauge Manufacturer: Browning Model: Superposed Superlight Grade I Barrel Length: 26 1/2″ Stock Comb: 1 1/2″ Stock Heel: 2 1/8″ LOP: 14 1/4″ Weight: 6 lbs Manufacture Date: 1970 Chokes: IC / Mod Price: $3,900*

RIZZINI AURUM SCALED FRAME 28GA 30” GAME SCENE & SCROLL ENGRAVED CASE COLORED ACTION EXCELLENT CONDITION IN BOX WITH ALL PAPERWORK AND ACCESSORIES: Rizzini Aurum 28ga 30″ vent rib barrels with excellent bores 3″ chamber All five original chokes cylinder-full LOP 14 1/2″ DAC 1 7/16″ DAH 2 1/4″ Cast off 1/4″ 5lbs 13 oz Game scene and scroll engraved case colored action. Original box with all paperwork and accessories. Excellent condition scaled frame gun with very little use. Price: $3,000

* FYI: DogsandDoubles.com is a not a gun dealer. We do not sell firearms. We do not have an FFL. The guns you see listed here are from Gunsinternational.com, a site DogsandDoubles.com is not affiliated with in any way. The accuracy of these listings from Gunsinternational.com has not been verified by Dogs and Doubles. All information and images have been provided by the sellers. Buyers are responsible for verifying the physical condition and specifications of the listed items. Dogs and Doubles suggests you and a qualified gunsmith physically inspect an item before purchasing.

Any statements made on DogsandDoubles.com regarding a firearm’s condition, originality, safety, value, or suitability to use are opinions only. These statements have not been verified. They are not guaranteed to be accurate or correct in any way.

Auction alert: An awesome Rigby 12g SxS…

January 26, 2018January 25, 2018 by Gregg

Excellent Vintage Rigby Rising Bite 12 gauge Side-by-Side British Shotgun:

You never know what you’ll find at Gunbroker.com. While a lot of the shotguns there don’t interest me, every now and then something special pops up–like this.

It’s a John Rigby & Co hammerless sidelock built on a Rigby-Bissel rising bite action with a snap-action underlever and Purdey-style bites.

To open the gun, you push forward the lever that wraps over the triggerguard. After the gun is fired, doing this also cocks the hammers.

Overall, this SxS shotgun is stunning. But what really impresses is the engraving. Fantastic. Just look at how tight and well laid out it is. Check out how much depth it has.

John Rigby & Co is the oldest gunmaking firm in continuous existence in the English-speaking world. (Yes, Beretta is older, but they speak Italian.) Founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1775, Rigby patented their legendary Rigby-Bissel rising bite action in 1879 and built them regularly until 1910.

In that time, about 1,000 guns and rifles were built using the patent (this side-by-side is the 205th they built). While the rising-bite was famous for its strength, it required extensive hand–which made it very expensive to build. Rigby reintroduced their rising-bite action in 2015 and the company is still building them today. Prices start at £95,000.

Excellent Vintage Rigby Rising Bite 12 gauge Side-by-Side British Shotgun: Rare and beautiful Vintage Rigby “Third Rising Bite” Sidelock 12 bore double game gun. Gun # 15441 (ca. 1884) is an English “BEST” and is about as good as it gets. Lightweight at just 6 lbs, 8 oz. using the smooth-topped “Snap” action with the legendary Bissell’s 1879 patent Third Rising Bite (usage # 205) and Purdey double underbites. About as strong an action there is – the same lock-up used on their legendary double rifles.

Features trademark beveled Rigby “Dipped” lock plates and the Old English script lettering that Rigby is known for. Perfectly laid out deep-cut scroll and signature carved Fern fences and action body are as about as good as it gets! Fore end is splinter type with perfect borders and desirable Rigby’s “Patent” throw lever.

CONDITION: Excellent as tastefully and professionally restored without sacrificing that aged-in look coveted by vintage collectors. Original 30” fluid compressed steel barrels with maker’s name and London and Dublin addresses in bold script on the top rib. Nitro proved barrels have 100% of their restored deep rust blue.

BARREL LENGTH: 30″ CHAMBERS: 2 3/4″ BORE DIAMETERS: L. .735 R. .739 MIN WALLS: L. .025 R. .025 (one small spot near muzzle on underside @ .021 likely an old dent repair) CHOKES: L. .015 R. .000 (true Cylinder)

Original, highly figured French walnut stocks are excellent as lightly re-oiled – no cracks/dings. Checkering is sharp & near perfect with a VG, nicely aged, original horn butt plate. Straight grip stock measures: 14 1/8” x 2” x 3” at heel.

Mechanically excellent, timed screws are VG and everything is tight and functioning properly. Cased in an English made, custom-fitted all-leather case with stitched corners, wool felt lined with shot card and trade label all of which are excellent (case alone is worth $600). Has several accessories which include a near perfect vintage sling complete with forged sling-hooks to match the factory loops on the gun – rare find indeed!

Also, has vintage A&F “New York” marked snap caps in excellent condition. I’m the owner, so I’m open to trade offers on Manton / Purdey double muzzleloader shotguns; flint or Percussion in shootable condition. Here’s a chance to get ahold of a real-deal Rigby classic from the heyday of English gun making! NOTE: This is the only Rising Bite Rigby shotgun on the market today! Don’t miss out!

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com …

November 15, 2015 by Gregg

F.lli. Rizzini R1 20 gauge: Sidelock double. Serial # 1308. 2 3/4″ chambers. 26″ chopper lump bbls, IC/Mod. hand matted rib, Stunning deep ” sculptured ” engraving by Sosta Gianfranco (deceased). Straight hand stock with highly figured turkish walnut, dropper points, and splinter forend. Checkering is perfect 32 LPI. Stock dimensions are 14 1/8″ LOP to center of checkered butt from a single trigger. 1 1/4 ” – 2 1/4 ” drop at heel without cast. 6 1/4 lbs. This beautiful R1 Rizzini was made for Ambercrombie and Fitch in 1974 ( letter from Rizzini ) both names lettered in gold on barrels. Gun remains in “as new” condition. The overall fit and finish and handling qualities of this Rizzini indicates the degree of hand work that was performed on their “best” guns during this period. A fantastic bird gun. Leather VC case with makers label. Price: $31,500

John Rigby & Co. .470 Nitro Express Double Rifle in completely original condition with EXCELLENT bores:
Here we have something special: A totally original, untouched John Rigby in .470 Nitro Express. What makes this one unique is CHARACTER: This thing has been CARRIED… The black on the floor plate being worn away to silver, and the same for the barrel black around the quarter rib – just where your hand would carry for many long hikes. Look at the checkering – none missing, but many worn down flat from being carried… This thing has LOTS AND LOTS OF MILES on it…
Yet look again at the underlying condition: The bores are excellent – no pitting, no staining, no erosion whatsoever. Barrels ring true. Most of the screw heads being aligned and their slots clean and unbuggered… What this tells me is that someone carried this for years, yet they took great care of it each and every night. Try and find another with half as much “personality”! Harder yet, try holding this rifle and NOT ask yourself “If only you could talk…” I don’t think this can be done!!!

The specifics: Serial number 17964, circa 1921-22. Boxlock Ejector action with extension. Disk set strikers. Class C engraving. Harvey lever forend as seen on many fine Henry and Rigby rifles. 26” barrels. The barrel rib is marked “John Rigby & Co. 43.Sackville St. London.” The top of the left barrel is marked “Special . 470 Bore . Big Game Rifle” and the top of the right barrel is marked “For Special Cordite Cartridges & Bullet 500 Grs.” Excellent bores. 100 yard standing site with 200- and 300-yard folding leaves. Sling swivels (missing forward loop). Stock is 14 3/8” LOP over 1/8” black spacer. No cheek piece and minimal cast so would work great for a left hand shooter (I shoot left handed and this rifle shoulders very nicely for me). Silver escutcheon engraved “J. McK”. Cased in canvas case with brass hardware, leather trim and leather straps. Outer lid of case is marked “H. G. INGLE. / KOLHAPUR, / INDIA.”. The canvas is stained and worn through in several spots. The leather strap on the right side has torn but the piece is retained. Interior of case includes Rigby Sackville Street trade label, a second Rigby label to caution against leaving the action cocked, and many original accessories including Rigby tool for removal of striker discs, turnscrew, leather muzzle cover, snap caps, striker pot with strikers, and the foresight hood. What this does need is a new recoil pad as the current pad is dried and hardened. The front swivel is missing the loop for the sling (presumably to allow usage of leather muzzle cover by sliding leather thong strap through the front swivel post). If you wanted, you could have the checkering refreshed and barrels reblacked but if you ask me, that’s like repainting a vintage Corvette that’s been discovered with its original paint… I’d vote to keep it like it is – and be the envy of every PH in camp the next time you are in Africa! Price: $26,500

PIOTTI BSEE SXS 12 GAUGE: #98XX 28″ 007 AND 014 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT UPGRADE WOOD TEST FIRED ONLY 6LBS 10 OZ X 2 1/8″ X 1 7/16″ X 14 3/4″. Price: $18,500

Parker DHE Grade 3 Side by Side Shotgun 12 Gauge Two Barrel Set Pistol Grip Stock Splinter Forearm: #146041. This Parker has one set of 26” barrels and one set of 32” barrels. Both sets have 2 3/4” chambers and single beads. The 26” set has what measures .004 right and .004 left constrictions on the chokes. The bore diameters measure .7295 right and .7295 left. These barrels retain 90% original bluing with some small spots of surface rust and have a single ivory bead. The center rib is marked PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. TITANIC STEEL. The bores are clean and shiny. The 32” set has what measures .036 right and .036 left constrictions on the chokes. The bore diameters measure .7285 right and .728 left. These barrels retain 90% original bluing with some minor surface rust near the muzzle and have a single silver bead. The center rib is marked PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. TITANIC STEEL. The bores are clean and shiny. There is only one forearm. The 2 frame retains 10% original color. The trigger guard retains no bluing and has some surface rust in spots. It has double triggers and ejectors. The pistol grip stock and forearm are original and are in very good condition. The length of pull is 14 1/4” to the front trigger over a skeleton buttplate that has no finish and surface rust on it. Drop at comb: 1 3/4″, Drop at heel: 2 3/4″, weight: 7.9 lbs with the 32” barrels. Price: $10,000

LEFEVER ARMS Co C-GRADE 10 GAUGE SXS SHOTGUN: 30″ BARRELS WITH NEAR PERFECT DAMASCUS DOUBLE TRIGGER EXTRACTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH CASE COLORS 8LBS 1 OZ X 3″ X 2″ X 14 1/4″. Price: $7,500

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October 20, 2013 by Gregg

RIGBY BEST PRE WAR DOUBLE RIFLE 22 SAVAGE HI POWER: SIDELOCK EJECTOR 24″ BARRELS WITH 1/4 RIB ONE STANDING SIGHT GREAT BORES DOUBLE TRIGGER PISTOL GRIP SPLINTER FOREARM EXCELLENT PLUS CONDITION MAKERS CASE WITH ACCESORIES 7LB 6 OZ X 14 7/8. Price: $79,500.00

“LeFever” JA Prechtel Ornately Engraved High Grade Gun, 10 & 12 gauge Set: 10ga. Steel Barrels 29”, Cyl/Cyl, with 3” chambers, marked JA Prechtel Maker Clevland Ohio / Made for Dr. EJ Cuttler on rib, 12ga. Damascus barrels 30” F/F with 2 ¾” chambers, marked J Weston on rib – pistol grip stock with a hard rubber butt plate, Double triggers, splinter forend, solid ribs, extractors. Not marked Lefever and there is no serial number but it is obviously a Lefever, thumb lever opening, high grade gun with beautiful ornate engraving, very unique with two sets of barrels and two gauges one Damascus and one steel, this is a great gun that is untouched unmolested, ready for immediate delivery. 14” x 1 3/4”x 3 1/4”. 8lb. 9oz.(12ga) 8lb. 15.5oz.(10ga). Price: $7,995

"LeFever" Ornately Engraved High Grade Gun, 10 & 12 gauge Set — “LeFever” Ornately Engraved High Grade Gun, 10 & 12 gauge Set

L C Smith, Hunter Arms, A1 Grade, 12 Gauge, Damascus Gorgeous: 30″ DAMASCUS BARRELS, FULL & FULL, PERFECT MIRROR BORES, FINE DAMASCUS PATTERN. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, ATTRACTIVE ENGRAVING – DOGS ON POINT, FINE SCROLLWORK, INTRICATE BORDERS, PAIR OF QUAIL ON THE TRIGGER GUARD. PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, EXTREMELY FINE CHECKERING, NICELY FIGURED ENGLISH WALNUT, ORIGINAL BUTTPLATE. MADE IN 1895, GORGEOUS GUN. Price: $7,500.00

Charles Ingram BLE 12 Gauge Double Barrel Boxlock Shotgun: 30”bbls, Nitro Proofed 3 Tons Per Square Inch, IC & Full chokes, 2 ½” chambers. Double triggers, ejectors, English stock, splinter forend. 15” LOP to plate. 7lbs. Price: $3,799.99

BERETTA 627EL Sport – 12ga – 28″ – Briley Chokes – English Stock: 1985 – Beretta 627EL Sport – 12ga, 28″, 2-3/4″, Briley Chokes, English Stock, Single Trigger, LOP 14-3/8″, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2″, Weight 6 lbs. 14 oz. Overall Excellent Condition. This is a “Y” gun – indicating it has been back to Beretta for some reason. The barrels have been reblued. The gun is mechanically very nice. Lever over to right. Barrels ring like a church bell. Includes: Eight (8) Briley Chokes (CYL, CYL, IC, IC, LM, M, IM, F) and Briley Wrench. Price: $2,750.00

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February 3, 2013 by Gregg

Westley Richards. .275 Side-by-Side Double Rifle

JOHN RIGBY DOUBLE RIFLE: Caliber 275 #2 Magnum. Overall gun is in beautiful cond with virtually all the orig vivid case colors on the receiver as well as all the bbl blue, vivid blue on the triggerguard. Orig checkered deluxe pistol grip circassian style walnut stocks are in exc cond with metal buttplate and the typical 3-leaf platninum lined express sight. Best quality gun weighing 9-1/2 pounds, 26″ bbls, bores are as new, length of stock is 4-1/2″. Overall gun is in as new cond; beautiful inside and out. Price: $ 31,000.

Alex Marin, Pair. 12 gauge Double Barrel Shotguns

ALEX MARTIN BEST SLE SXS PAIR 12 GAUGE: CELTIC ENGRAVING BOTH HAVE 28″ BARRELS WITH 011 AND 026 WITH BRILEY FIXED BLIND CHOKING 2 3/4 CHAMBERS DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP LEATHER COVERED PADS 6LB 13 OZ X 2 1/4 X 1 1/2 X 15 EXCELLENT CONDITION. Price: $25, 000

HOLLAND & HOLLAND DOUBLE HAMMER RIFLE .500 3 1/4″: 27″ steel barrels, ramp front sight with folding night sight. Two leaf rear express sight. Lightly engraved back action locks and rebounding hammers. Stock dimensions LOP: 14 1/2″ Comb: 1 1/2″ Heel: 2 1/4″ Weight: 9lbs 2oz. Super untouched original barrel blue. The action and locks are lightly engraved and retain areas of casehardening with the remainder fading to a pleasing mottled gray. Mint bores and tight action. Beautiful wood and checkering. Left side of the receiver engraved “CHARGE 5 DRAMS, CASE 3 1/4 INCHES” Price: $12,500

12 gauge Beretta Boxlock Side-by-Side, Made in 1933

BERETTA 1933 BOXLOCK SxS- REMAINS TOTALLY ORIG & NEARLY as NEW- OUTSTANDING CONDITION INSIDE & OUT- 28″ KRUPP STEEL BARRELS: #60439, Beretta Boxlock SxS Made in 1933, 12 Bore with 27 7/8″ Krupp Steel Extractor Barrels , crossbolt rib extension, a hidden third bite at .725 .042 & .042″ (Full & Full), Original 2 3/4″, Original & Correct 18.3mm bores, Double triggers with a true & real articulated front trigger, Splinter forend with an Anson release, Straight hand stock at 14 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 2 11/16″ over the factory horn buttplate with “Armi P. Beretta Brescia, 6 lbs. 15 oz., Sling eyes, The initial shield on top of the stock at the heel, 15% coverage of scroll and border engraving, 95% original barrel blue, 85% original case colors, The absolute original wood finish at 97%, The original checkering is at 100%, The trigger guard bow and tang have 100% original blue, Every screw inside & out lays North & South, The gun remains tight as new with a lot of bite left and with bores that remain as new. Price: $2,950.00

20 gauge L.C. Smith Field, Double Barrel Shotgun, 30" barrels, Ejectors — 20 gauge L.C. Smith Field, Double Barrel Shotgun, 30″ barrels, Ejectors

LC Smith 20ga ejector, all original: 20ga LC Smith. 30″ barrels. F/XF choke. some case showing. honest blue wear. Pad added by Pete Mazur. Pete has inspected all, including inside-all original and working. relly good condition for an LC. Price:$2850.00