doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com What was the purpose of Rigby Flats?

This is a question that has had me puzzled for many years and I've never had a reasonable explanation for their presence on Single Shot Rifles. During the late 1800's and into the 1900's these could be found on both US and British made rifles. I cannot see them being there for the purpose of strengthening the chamber area. Some rifles have three, others four of these small raised areas surrounding the barrel immediately in front of the receiver ring of the action.

Could it be to cut down on vibration arising from the firing for the rifle?

I'd be obliged for your thoughts or suggestions.

Harry

Hi Harry,
So has winter been treating you good?
Anyway, why would one put them on a rifle today? I would say because they look good. Is it possible that this was the reason then, also?

-5 degs F this morning .... we need a little more global warming

I thought everyone knew the whys and wherefores of Rigby flats. They are for Bubba to get a better bite with his pipe wrench of course.

A bigger mystery is the long bolt under the acorn that is screwed into the heel of the German Schuetzen rifle.

However I would like to see the subject stay on the flats issue for now and not get derailed into german guns.

I don't think the English would like to have their fine work confused with the continental work. Ha Ha

Michael, I think the flats predate receiver-built cartridge rifles. If so, If they originated on muzzleloaders (and for sure they were put on muzzleloaders), then I can't see how the flats purpose would work that way. Breech plugs just don't require them and, in fact, they get in the way a lot.

I feel their purpose was just cosmetic, and any structural effects were just coincidental.

Brent,

I deleted my message because I said the same thing in the thread below on the subject. If the purpose was cosmetic there would be no need for the bottom one.

Next time you see a Ballard with them look how much shoulder there would be without them.

Michael, I can see how others have exploited them for that purpose, but why Rigby started them, that's another matter. And there are better ways of accomplishing support for a barrel shoulder if that's their only purpose.

The explanation for their origins will always elude us I'm afraid. Unless someone unearths a currently unknown diary written by the guy who invented them.

Are you sure there is one on the bottom? The ones on the sides of the ballards only go to the forearm stock line. And on the only one I have examined there wasn't a flat on the bottom.* Also the ballard book talked about the 3 raised flats.

I also see that Dutcher, in his book, refers to the flats as decoration on the Rigby muzzleloading target rifles.

* - I should clarify or I will get ripped, yes there was also a small protrusion on the very bottom against the receiver but I do not refer to it as a flat

Mr.Eales,
I believe it is known as a "Nock's form." It was used to facilitate the placement at TDC of the front and rear barrel sight.

As Brent said we may never know; however Steve your response is the best and most practical I have ever heard. Seems very reasonable. Thanks