Page 261 - 4091-BOOK2

Very Fine Engraved William & John Rigby Overcoat
Percussion Pistol - Serial no. 9935, 18 Bore cal., 3 7/8 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened/blue
finish, checkered walnut stock. This pistol is recorded in D.H.L. Back, “Great Irish Gunmakers: Messrs. Rigby 1760-1869”, p. 117 as one of a “pair of trap pistols” made in 1848 for an H. Dillion. It features distinctive etched Damascus to the rounded smoothbore barrel which has a concave channel to the top incorporating the blade front sight and inscribed “DUBLIN,” swivel-mounted iron ramrod, and a casehardened patent breech with platinum bands, pierced platinum plug, and engraved floral accent. The casehardened flat triple-bent lock is signed “W & J RIGBY” at the center and has border and scroll engraving. The lock is secured via a single central screw into the casehardened standing breech which extends to the blued scroll engraved hinged trap cover for the three cavities cut into the spine of the butt. The blued iron small rounded trigger-guard has a stylized finial and scroll and border engraving. The stock has checkered panels and a vacant silver oval initial escutcheon on the flared pommel. CONDITION: Very fine with mostly silver-gray patina on the barrel along with distinct Damascus patterns, 60% original case colors, distinct engraving and markings, bright platinum, 75% original blue finish on the trigger guard, minor oxidation, and generally minor overall wear. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, scattered scratches and dings, and older varnished finish. Swivel ramrod screw replaced. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a distinctive and attractive pistol from the famed Rigby shop in Dublin. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1331
Pair of Engraved William & John Rigby Turnover Percussion Pocket Pistols -A) W. & J. Rigby Pocket Pistol - NSN, 38 cal., 1 3/4 inch round bbl., casehardened finish, checkered walnut grips. The famous Rigby shop in Dublin was run by William and John Rigby between 1818 and 1858 and remains one of the premier firearms makers in the world today. This pair of turnover pocket pistols from circa 1830 are signed “Wm & Jn Rigby/Dublin” on the left side of the triple-bent boxlock actions in Gothic script surrounded by extensive scroll and border engraving. The barrels of the first pistol are each marked with the County Carlow registration number “CW-61”, and the barrels of the second pistol have “CW-62.” The actions have folding triggers and scroll hooks that guard the nipple in the lower position. The bag-shaped checkered butts each have a vacant silver initial escutcheon at the wrist and a vacant silver oval on the butt. Includes a receipt from Robert Abels Antique Firearms dated December 20, 1961. CONDITION: Very good plus with light faded patterns of original case colors, gray and brown patina, crisp engraving, aged patina on the silver, and minor overall wear. The grip is fine and has crisp checkering aside from a worn patch on the front left, minor dings and scratches, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine. B) W. & J. Rigby Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 cal., 1 3/4 inch round bbl., casehardened finish, checkered walnut grips. See A. CONDITION: Very good plus with light faded patterns of original case colors, gray and brown patina, aged patina on the silver, and crisp engraving. The grip is fine and has mostly crisp checkering aside from some wear and light scratches. An attractive pair of turnover pocket pistols from William and John Rigby. Provenance: Robert Ables; The Norman R. Blank Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 1332
Cased Pair of Engraved William & John Rigby
Turnover Percussion Pocket Pistols -A) W. & J. Rigby Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 Bore cal., 1 5/8 inch round bbl., casehardened finish, walnut grips. This fine pair of turnover pocket pistols from circa 1840 are signed “Wm & Jn Rigby” on the left and inscribed “Dublin” on the right of the boxlock triple-bent actions in Gothic script surrounded by extensive scroll and border engraving. One of the barrels of the first pistol is marked with the Dublin registration number “D-N 1212”, and one barrel of the second pistol has “D-N 1211.” The actions have folding triggers and scroll hooks that guard the nipple in the lower position. The figured walnut butts are each finely checkered and have vacant silver oval inlaid caps. The pair are in their original fitted mahogany case lined in green baize with a round brass lid escutcheon, a William & John Rigby trade label for 24 Suffolk Street
in Dublin inside the lid, a fine three-way brass-mounted copper powder flask, associated combination barrel and nipple wrench, and associated “36” marked iron ball mold. CONDITION: Very good with gray patina, crisp engraving, aged patina on the silver, and minor overall wear. The butt
is fine and has distinct checkering, smooth varnished finish, minor dings and scratches, and light handling and storage wear. Percussion nipples replaced. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good and have generally mild overall wear, including some cracks and paint drips to the lid. B) W. & J. Rigby Pocket Pistol - NSN, 40 Bore cal.,
1 5/8 inch round bbl., casehardened finish, walnut grips.
See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with gray patina, crisp engraving, aged patina on the silver, and minor overall wear. The butt
is fine and has distinct checkering, smooth varnished finish, some light dings and scratches, and minor handling and storage wear. Percussion nipples replaced. Mechanically excellent. A nice pair of William & John Rigby
turnover pistols.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,250
259
LOT 1330