Rigby Rising Bite Underlever .500 BPE

[vette447]

I don't post too many pics on here but there aren't very many of these of these old Rigby Rising Bite Underlever doubles that I can find even with Google so I thought you guys might enjoy. This recently came out of an old collection with another Rigby magazine rifle. I am a big sucker for Rigby guns when I can find one that is interesting and I happened to be able to spend a little money when I found this one (does anyone know the going rate for a kidney BTW? ).

From what I can gather, it was made around 1889 (marked J Rigby & Co 72 St James St London and Dublin) but not much else in the Rigby ledger. It is in really nice overall condition but with little finish remaining and really nice bores, horn grip cap, sling loops, two folding rear sights and the famous "rising bite" third fastener. It is a .500 3" Nitro Express for Black Powder (BPE). The amount of engraving on this rifle is just stunning. You would be hard pressed to find any spots that are not profusely engraved anywhere on the receiver. I may try to clean it up just a touch but probably won't do much. I have not gotten out to shoot it yet but plan to. Here are a few pics:

Also, here is a pic of it next to a WJ Jeffery .600 NE. Possibly more on that later...

 

[cagkt3]

Very nice sir!

 

[vette447]

Thank you. These pics of the barrel markings didn't make it up for some reason so I will try again.

 

[Mort Hill]

Wow! I just drooled on myself as I enlarged each picture. Words don’t do justice. Just a pleasure to see and know someone is enjoying. Thx

 

[CAustin]

Beautiful. And you found it where?

 

[Bullthrower338]

Gorgeous rifle!

 

[Red Leg]

It is indeed a "rising bite" Rigby. Pretty close to the holy grail. Wonderful rifle.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful rifle.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Always learning something by hanging around this forum.
Thanks for sharing your new treasure.
Congratulations on your organ sale.

 

[Pheroze]

Do you have any information about its history? Very nice find!

 

[vette447]

Thanks guys.

Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the history. The Rigby ledger isn’t helpful and doesn’t give much information other than the date from what i understand.

The gentleman that owned this also had a very nice prewar 350 Rigby-Mauser with a full suite of accessories which I picked up as well. Other than that, I don’t know much except I am thinking this rifle being an early sidelock hammerless Rising Bite must be relatively rare based on the almost non-existent information I was able to find on the internet when I was evaluating this gun for potential purchase.

 

[gillettehunter]

Lovely rifle. Congrats on your find.
Bruce

 

[ve7poi]

Outstanding find enjoy
May it find its way to hunting Africa again.

 

[IvW]

 

[Mort Hill]

So tell me again how to get in your last will and testimony? LOL As close as I will ever get to owning a treasure like this. The only gun I inherited when my father passed was a Remington 1100....