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Engraved Jno. Rigby & Co. and J. Purdey 4-Bore Percussion Dangerous Game Rifle - Serial no. 13974, 4
bore cal., 26 1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, deluxe walnut stock. This impressive 19th
century dangerous game rifle features a Damascus barrel signed “J. PURDEY. OXFORD STREET, LONDON” on top
with a dovetailed blade front, four-leaf rear sight graduated out to 200 yards, casehardened breech plug with
scroll engraving as well as an inlaid silver band and silver plug, London proof marks, and “3305” marked breech
hook. The lower tang has serial number “13974”. The flat detented lock is also marked “13974” and is signed “Jno
Rigby & Co” and has a sliding safety ahead of the hammer and scroll and border engraving. The blued mounts
are engraved en suite, and the half-stock has a horn forend cap, panels of checkering, drop flats, and 13 5/8
inch length of pull. Rifles of this sort were used by Frederick Selous and other British big game hunters in Africa
and India in the 19th century. Norman R. Blank’s receipt for the rifle from Jackson Arms on August 11, 1964,
accompanies the rifle.
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