I'm doing some research on my family's gun collection that spans 3 generations so far. The first im looking for information on is this 303 John Rigby duble rifle. The stock has many small dings, scratches, etc but nothing deep. The action is tight and the bores are in excellent condition. I'd like to know what model this gun is, approximately when it was made, approximate vaule (I know its difficult to evaluate a gun from pictures) and any other history you folks might be able to supply me with. I hope the pictures come through alright. Thanks for your time.
~Wes

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A very fine best quality rising bite ejector rifle. The side lever opener is unusual. Amount of case color hard to see in your photos. If the bores are good,and no real "problems", value probably in excess of 25K. Do you have the original case? The rifle pad detracts a bit. I don't have my serial list here, but would guess production about 1902. Good .303s are hard to come by. If you are looking to sell, I might be interested

All the best, Mal

Simply stunning.....now THAT'S a Rifle!
Steve

I don't have the original case for it sadly. The bud pad was replaced by my grandfather between 1950 - 1952. He was a Methodist Missionary and traveled where there was good big game hunting. He shot a very nice mountain goat with this gun in Alaska during those years. Thanks for the offer Mal, but I'm not interested in selling it. I'm just trying to find out more about this pretty piece.

I'm not very good at judging case color percentages. The sidelocks / outside metal colors are faded, but still visible. The colors on the breach face and flats are brighter and easily visible.

Good to hear that some still treasure family things. I have my grandfathers 45 from WWI factory engraved with his name and rank.
When I was about 7 or8, I remember asking him what he had shot with it when "over there" He said the only thing was a mule that had broken a leg. You are fortunate to have some very fine pieces.

All the best, Mal

Thanks for all the help on this gun Mal!

~Wes

Wes,
Try this site http://forums.nitroexpress.com/ they have a very active group and there have been several discussions of the Rigby Rising bite rifles.
Cheers,
Laurie

thanks Laurie. I'll check that site out and see what they can tell me.

~Wes

I can't help you out a bit Wes, but that rifle is sure a beauty!

Is that a peep site poking up from the back of it?

Nice gun.

OWD

Envy is not nice .... but I'm not perfect, beautiful gun.

OWD:

Yes, its a peep sight. There is a spacer in the rib on the barrels for a back sight as well. I'm not sure who or when the sights were changed to a peep, or if the gun came that way and the spacer was put in the rib in case someone wanted to switch the sights out later. I suspect the peep sight is not original to the gun.

Man , that's a REAL Rigby.
What a Cracker
"Bissle(SP?) Rising Bite" just sounds so sexy, doesn't it?
I am Sooooo jealous, I love the SideLever.
Good for you mate
Franc

Man , that's a REAL Rigby.
What a Cracker
"Bissle(SP?) Rising Bite" just sounds so sexy, doesn't it?
I am Sooooo jealous, I love the SideLever.
Good for you mate
Franc