40 cal Rigby, Dublin - Big Bore ?? Rook & Rabbit Rifle Needle Gun

[buckstix]

40 cal Rigby, Dublin - Big Bore ?? Rook & Rabbit Rifle Needle Gun

Hello All,

I bought this at auction a couple weeks back and was surprised at what I got. As you can see from the listing, I thought I was buying an early Rigby single shot "center-fire" cartridge gun. But, after some research, I found out it was a Needle Gun. Here are some of the references I found:

[color:GREEN]"... John Rigby & Company founded by John Rigby in 1775 in Dublin. His grandson, also John, opened a London branch in 1865. After conducting multiple experiments beginning in 1824, Prussian gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse in 1836 produced the first complete needle fire gun and founded a firearms factory in the town. ... John Rigby and W.N.Norman's Patent No.899 of April, 1860. A very early breech loading patent that used paper needle fire shells. The breech is opened by lifting the bolt straight up which un-threads a shaft that fits into the barrel, thus holding the barrel tight on face when shut. These distinctive rook rifles were based on part of the Rigby & Norman patent (No. 899 of 1860) and were described by Rigby in their records as ‘Improved Needle Rifle’ and marketed as “The Bijou”. .... Octagonal barrel with full length matted top flat signed “JOHN RIGBY & CO. DUBLIN” and fitted with a bead front sight and rear sight of one standing notch sight and two folding leaves graduated to “150” yards ... The breech end of the barrel a separate piece which is casehardened and engraved with foliate scrollwork. Casehardened border and scroll engraved action signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO.” on the left side, and with blued flat lever for the screw breech with checkered tip and blued hammer with long ‘needle’ firing pin. Casehardened trigger guard and butt plate engraved ... the forearm with key fastener and shaped green horn tip ... Birmingham black powder proof marks..."[/color]

That's why there is no extractor because the intended paper wrapped cartridge is totally consumed upon firing.
The first set of pictures show detail about the rifle.

Since I always intend to shoot every gun I own, I set about developing a way to shoot this interesting rifle. Rather than making paper cartridges like the originals from the 1850's, I set about producing metallic cartridges that would work in their place. It took about 20 hours to produce 10 centerfire cartridges for the rifle. I had to create a special "dual head" cartridge to fit into the recess of the screw-bolt's face.
The second set of pictures show the cartridge making process.

When loading for these old vintage antique rifles I always error on the conservative side. Note the engraved bullet that stopped 1/2" short of making it out of the barrel. That was from the first conservative loading with 1.5g Unique. After the load was increased to 2g, all left the barrel as intended. I love shooting a 165 year old rifle that likely stayed dormant for over a hundred & twenty five years.
The third set of pictures show the shooting results.

 

[318AE]

Wow - this redefines what I thought an obsolete cartridge might be. I like to shoot my old guns too - you take it to a whole other level!

 

[Tex .416]

Ok, that is cool!

Thank you for sharing a fascinating piece of history!

 

[Ridge Runner]

Awesome rifle.
That takes cartridge reloading to a whole new level.

 

[Boone66]

That's really neat. Do you find the locktight better then low temp solder? I have always used low temp, like force 44.

 

[buckstix]

That's really neat. Do you find the locktight better then low temp solder? I have always used low temp, like force 44.

Strength is not required because the small head is tight against the bolt face . The red loctite simply keeps the small head in place. Also, heat from solder could anneal and soften the brass.

 

[Boone66]

Not gonna argue against that reasoning. I have soldered tubing onto case heads for low pressure cartridges without a problem, may try high strength locktight next time. Neat fix to a unique problem.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Not gonna argue against that reasoning. I have soldered tubing onto case heads for low pressure cartridges without a problem, may try high strength locktight next time. Neat fix to a unique problem.

Please post your results as this could be knowledgeable information for a majority of us reloaders.

 

[Boone66]

I did it for customers, when I worked as a gunsmith, I did take any pictures I do have some brass from when my granddad did something similar though, I'll have to dig them out. I have tubing on hand for other future projects and also save brass, just in case I need to turn some down. I don't do this for high pressure cartridges, just for low pressure, like black powder level. I suppose I should start documenting some of the stuff I do, as my kids are always on my case to do it.

 

[buckstix]

I get a lot of satisfaction from bringing an old relic back to life.

 

[AZDAVE]

@buckstix I salute you on the making cases to fit an old obsolete round. I have gone to some lengths and lathe time making brass but that one I learned something new. Thank you for showing your methodology.

 

[tward1604]

Man this brought back a memory. A long time ago I came across a 300 Rook double rifle. I can't remember the maker and as a kid I couldn't afford to buy it. I sure wish I could see that gun again. I've always wanted one.