Rare Gun Collector Sometimes a Seller

[Hyhosilver]

My First Rigby and looking for info of any type

 

[318AE]

Welcome to AH. This looks like your first post, you may want to consider introducing yourself and sharing a little more. I think you’ll find this to be a very helpful group.

Reference your rifle, more photos will help. The bolt handle and stock design is unlike any Rigby I’ve seen, and the stock carving/engraving is certainly not Rigby either.

 

[Hyhosilver]

Not yet in my possession. Still researching. See the initials in the pic JRS? then see the other picture

 

[PerH]

Stock carving and boar looks very much German/ Austrian in style. The Oakleaves are a common decoration from there.

 

[Hyhosilver]

Thank you for the info here is the only other pictures available. I can’t pick it up till Tuesday.

 

[Hyhosilver]

Thank you for the info here is the only other pictures available. I can’t pick it up till Tuesday

 

[Hyhosilver]

Thank you for the info here is the only other pictures available. I can’t pick it up till Tuesday

 

[Aaron N]

Wouldn’t a rigby be stamped as 275 rigby, and not 7x57?

 

[Aaron N]

Or 7mm High Velocity?

 

[Red Leg]

Interesting. I assume someone (ole JRS?) with an uncontrollable Teutonic fixation decided to do that to the rifle. The metal work seems to have received the same treatment. The stock is unusually tall in front of the bolt handle, so not the original stock that has been carved. If it is a Rigby, it is possible they could have been convinced to build a rifle with that sort of comb, but the fit of the action would have been pure Rigby. If it is a Rigby, photos of the barrel and action will show that proudly. Rigby (or Oberndorf) also would have finely finished that bolt handle.

Not sure the implication with respect to the article? Mark Selby (MRS) made the decision to sell the rifle Ruark gave him through Holland & Holland many years ago and it was still in its original livery when it returned to Africa on Safari in the early 2000's.

 

[Mekaniks]

to AH

 

[Hyhosilver]

Interesting. I assume someone (ole JRS?) with an uncontrollable Teutonic fixation decided to do that to the rifle. The metal work seems to have received the same treatment. The stock is unusually tall in front of the bolt handle, so not the original stock that has been carved. If it is a Rigby, it is possible they could have been convinced to build a rifle with that sort of comb, but the fit of the action would have been pure Rigby. If it is a Rigby, photos of the barrel and action will show that proudly.

Not sure the implication with respect to the article? Mark Selby (MRS) made the decision to sell the rifle Ruark gave him through Holland & Holland many years ago and it was still in its original livery when it returned to Africa on Safari in the early 2000's.

The first answer referenced the bolt handle was not Rigby but Bells rifle has it.

 

[Red Leg]

The first answer referenced the bolt handle was not Rigby but Bells rifle has it.

Has what?

 

[Hyhosilver]

Has what?

Made with Flattened thumb

 

[spike.t]

What's the serial number and where is it marked on the rifle?

 

[Hunter4752001]

I'll let those with far more expertise than me comment, but I notice the bolt carries the number 7700 and the barrel has the number 1047.

 

[Red Leg]

Made with Flattened thumb

I am referring to the finishing of the elbow of the bolt itself. It is very crude and is not typical Rigby. The barrel markings and the quality of that engraving will likely be definitive.

If it is an actual Rigby residing in replacement stock, and you got it cheaply, then it could be a good find. But allow me to be frank. There are a lot of red flags associated with this rifle. Had someone ordered a rifle with engraving by Rigby, the oakleaf would be much finer. So we can likely assume the Germanic engraving was added at the same time as the stock. Secondly, why has the seller not provided pictures of the barrel and action top? The bolt handle in the NRA article is a typical Rigby style of that period. The bolt handle on this rifle is what is called a butter knife handle. The style is fairly common on German rifles and carbines - particularly from before before WWII. Finally, I haven't yet seen a period Rigby marked 7x57.

If I saw this rifle for sale, with no more identifying marks than are provided here, I would assume it was a rifle put together by a German gunsmith for an American serviceman sometime after the war. Probably ole JRS.

If it is an actual Rigby, the serial number will be on file with them.

In any case, you will know for certain what you have when it is your possession.

 

[Red Leg]

I'll let those with far more expertise than me comment, but I notice the bolt carries the number 7700 and the barrel has the number 1047.

I missed that. Another red flag.

 

[spike.t]

I'll let those with far more expertise than me comment, but I notice the bolt carries the number 7700 and the barrel has the number 1047.

Just looked after reading this...the small photos take ages to load here for some reason....but the 7x57 marking looks like a kid tried doing it ...same with rest of markings I see....don't look like any rigby type markings I have ever seen

 

[Red Leg]

Just looked after reading this...the small photos take ages to load here for some reason....but the 7x57 marking looks like a kid tried doing it ...same with rest of markings I see....don't look like any rigby type markings I have ever seen

Just looked as well. Another rather large red flag.

@Hyhosilver let me ask the obvious question. Why do you believe this is a Rigby?