Rifle appraisal

[Paul G]

Hi-

I own a Rigby rifle in a .350 that was re-bored into a .375 Flanged sometime in the 1990s Rigby Believes. They told me the rifle was sold in 1903 to Charles Bulpett who a lot of know was a fairly famous British hunter in Kenya, wrote a few books, etc. My question is if I decided I wanted to sell it someday who do I go to in order to get it appraised? How do you put a value on a gun like this with a bit of history? Does the re-chambering make a huge difference in value?

 

[baxterb]

Tough question but a VERY interesting rifle. Bullpett owned the 350, 2 .275s, a 450 and a few 12 bores in Kenya.

I’d hate to say I think the rebore would affect value, especially being so late, but perhaps the provenance might offset it?

would love to see pics if you’ve got them.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hi-

I own a Rigby rifle in a .350 that was re-bored into a .375 Flanged sometime in the 1990s Rigby Believes. They told me the rifle was sold in 1903 to Charles Bulpett who a lot of know was a fairly famous British hunter in Kenya, wrote a few books, etc. My question is if I decided I wanted to sell it someday who do I go to in order to get it appraised? How do you put a value on a gun like this with a bit of history? Does the re-chambering make a huge difference in value?

I think I'd first collect whatever documentation you could from Rigby or anyone else. And then I'd give these guys a call to start with:

William Larkin Moore | Specializing in high quality double guns, shotguns, and rifles since 1973

williamlarkinmoore.com

 

[358 Norma]

I would give George at Champlain's arms a call.

 

[Paul G]

Thanks for the ideas, I will follow up with both. Have all the data from Rigby in hand.

Paul

 

[Hunter4752001]

Was the re-bore done by Rigby or by a third party?

 

[bruce moulds]

how does it group and regulate?
bruce.

 

[John Telford]

Many good Rigby 350’s were ruined by converting then. Unfortunately this gun is now just a custom built on Mauser 98 action.

 

[Paul G]

It's a double!

 

[Paul G]

how does it group and regulate?
bruce.

I have bot had a chance to find out. This weekend.

 

[Paul G]

Was the re-bore done by Rigby or by a third party?

Third party, Rigby does not have a record of it.

 

[Paul G]

Tough question but a VERY interesting rifle. Bullpett owned the 350, 2 .275s, a 450 and a few 12 bores in Kenya.

I’d hate to say I think the rebore would affect value, especially being so late, but perhaps the provenance might offset it?

would love to see pics if you’ve got them.

I will upload some today for you. Thanks for the Info. He appears to be a man who got the absolute most out of life to say the least

 

[Paul G]

Here you go....

 

[WAB]

Wow!

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Good morning Antignos. What a beautiful rifle. Thank you for sharing. Did you shoot it yet?

 

[rinehart0050]

That gun should fetch a pretty penny. Most of the reputable gun auction houses will also estimate value- and then you just have to hope bids will exceed the estimates.

 

[Paul G]

Good morning Antignos. What a beautiful rifle. Thank you for sharing. Did you shoot it yet?

Not yet this weekend!

 

[spike.t]

I would find some ammunition and go shoot it to see how well it was reregulated...if it shoots well just enjoy it...

 

[spike.t]

But looking at second photo of the j rigby engraving on the side of the action ....looks like a later addition....but could be wrong...just doesn't look correct ...the way the letters are portrayed/engraved look strange to me...but as I said could be wrong.... @Red Leg could do with bit of input

 

[Paul G]

But looking at second photo of the j rigby engraving on the side of the action ....looks like a later addition....but could be wrong...just doesn't look correct ...the way the letters are portrayed/engraved look strange to me...but as I said could be wrong.... @Red Leg could do with bit of input

The rifle I do not believe was colored until a later date, the lettering is spot on and right for sure compared to other photos of the same model and time frame I have seen. Rigby didn't mention it when I emailed them either. They confirmed everything else about it as accurate, but didn't know when it was rechambered.