calpappas
(.275 member)
21/04/14 05:38 AM
Re: Rigby 450 nitro express double 1908 discovered in zambia

Gents:
Dylan emailed the photos to me and I asked him a few times to call me as I was interested in the rifle if the price reflected the condition. I did not know the asking price of 75K at the time. When I saw the price I nearly fell off my chair. I get many emails for double rifles for sale overseas. A few are cheap to a good buy. Very few are priced to the market. Most are way over priced with the hopes the buyer does not know or American are stupid.

This Rigby has potential IF and it's a big IF the bores are excellent--no pits, maybe a bit of frosting, and sharp rifling. I was emailed the bores are good but there is a lot of room to play in that word. Bores are the only thing that can't be repaired or refurbished. If the bores reflect the exterior condition the rifle is near worthless. Let's look at it:

I doubt the wood can be saved as the tear drops are worn off. I believe I see cracks in the good and the stock is oil soaked. A replacement Silver's pad is not much of cost issue.

The extractor plate looks a bit odd.

The metal is rusted and/or pitted. All can be cleaned up but the time to draw file will be extensive.

I would guess the interior metal parts are worn, rusted, etc…

Questions remain of barrel ring and tight on the face and one won't know exact bore condition until it in one's hands.

To rebore and rechamber destroys any originality in the Rigby rising bite. Replace the wood with the rechamber and you might as well save some money and buy a Sabatti.

I have personally seen rising bites in excellent condition priced well below the 75K of this rifle.

As to the gunsmithing required to bring this rifle to standards it can be done for several thousand at a low end 'smith to 20-30K in London. This is expecting the stock needs replacement.

Even if offered at 1/2 the asking price, by the time the money is spend it will be over valued and one will have a non original rifle.

Just my 2 cents.
Cal



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