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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Muzzleloaders & Blackpowder
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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3555
Loc: Colorado
Rigby Match Rifle
      #132461 - 16/04/09 09:22 AM

Just picked up my first muzzle loading rifle!
Not just any front loader, but a genuine John Rigby match rifle!
I have to ask, was $2500 too much? (HA HA HA! I'm killin myself!)







--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #132583 - 17/04/09 08:13 AM

$2500
Are you trying to get us to hate you?

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Caprivi
.375 member


Reged: 30/09/08
Posts: 811
Loc: America's Serengeti, Buffalo W...
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: szihn]
      #132585 - 17/04/09 09:11 AM

Good thing there is no one at Cabela's has any idea about gun prices. Good for you, nice gun.

--------------------
To live life as it is handed to me from God

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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3555
Loc: Colorado
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Caprivi]
      #132591 - 17/04/09 11:35 AM

Yeah, like taking candy from a baby...
It is remarkable to me that the "experts" at many of the big-box outfitters are so inept.
Really is too bad though, that there is very likely a "customer" on the other end of the deal whom let his gun go under their misdirection.

On the bright side, I have filled a void in my collection with what could be the rarest of all.

Does anybody have a copy of D.H.L. Back's Book "Great Irish Gun Makers 1760 - 1869 Messrs Rigby"
I have looked at the www.lrml.org site and have found Cunard to be a source of proper sights for it - so, I am on my way.

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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Kynoch
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Reged: 11/02/05
Posts: 40
Loc: Iowa, United States
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #132601 - 17/04/09 02:16 PM

I knew this would go quick. I called, but it was gone. Cabelas is usually WAY over priced. Congrats and let us know when you get it. Maybe it's an AirSoft Rigby target rifle????

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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3555
Loc: Colorado
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Kynoch]
      #132604 - 17/04/09 02:54 PM

I already have it.
That's one thing Cabelas does well - shipping.
Paid with a card on Monday morning and the rifle was at my house Wednesday at noon.

When I paid for it, they told me there were seven others in line for it if I passed. Not surprised.

I would like to date the gun and learn of its history as much as possible.
It is #13191
Any help with htis would be very much appreciated.

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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Kynoch
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Reged: 11/02/05
Posts: 40
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Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #132606 - 17/04/09 04:36 PM

Any address on the barrel?

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DarylSModerator
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Kynoch]
      #132651 - 18/04/09 02:09 AM

Huvius- wonderful grab! - just looks at the workmanship - look at the hamer/fence/nipple relationship. Absolutely breath-takingly beautiful. Ohhhh, man.

What's the bore like? Come-on - some dimensions please, bore, groove diamter, rifling twist??? questions, questions.

I am happy for you.

Guys with Pedersoli's - look at the lock, hammer and fence! It is not difficult to emulate. A new breech can be made or perhaps the factory one can be repaired.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3555
Loc: Colorado
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #132732 - 19/04/09 04:56 AM

Some of my own pics.
The photos look like there is rust/corrosion, but the metal is all smooth.
There is no provision for a rear sight except the tang mounted pivot. I suppose there could have been a rear sight base soldered to the barrel at one time, but there is no evidence of solder or discoloration which isn't consistent over the full length of the barrel.

There is also no evidence of a sight base having been fixed to the top of the stock.

The front sight base is present and has increment marks on the muzzle side of the base for windage adjustment. I have read of these taking a 3/8" dovetail but with the two rear screws tightened, the dovetail measures about .270" - I suspect the screws are long enough to accomodate the wider sight.

I was very pleased to find the bore well oiled and a deactivated cap still on the nipple - presumably to keep any residual oil from dripping out on the wood. The patches I wiped down the bore came out clean. The muzzle looks to be smooth for about 1.5" before the rifling is apparent. I can just slide a .455" lead bullet down this smooth portion of the bore. I have not been able to take a proper slug of the bore yet.


The barrel surface is smooth but has that mottled look to it - I imagine these were browned originally (?)



















--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

Edited by Huvius (19/04/09 05:05 AM)

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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3555
Loc: Colorado
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #134537 - 05/05/09 03:19 PM

Update:
Finally took a look in the barrel with a proper bore light.
Looks beautiful!
Amazing that a +/- 143 yr. old black powder rifle can have a bore this nice.
I guess that match rifles were probably the best cared for as far as the bore is concerned.

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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DarylSModerator
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: Huvius]
      #135704 - 20/05/09 03:26 AM

Nice indeed - I suspect the barrel was probably rust-blued, not browned.

As to the smooth section, who can say - might have been reamed out due to some pits - maybe anytime between the 1880's till now? I've never heard of them being made this way initially, with such a free'd section at the muzzle - maybe so, though.
The front sight will be easy to replace & nice looking to boot - might not be perfect as an origianal, but check out TOTW for a Sharps sight. The dovetail size is noted and one slightly larger can easily be filed to fit pefectly by about anyone with a modicome of skill.
The Pedersoli duplicates in non-adjustable would be about right & $100.00 cheaper than the US built ones - but the Us sights are splendid. You can even put on a spirit level sight if you want.
I bought a Soule adjustable sigth for my Sharps - would be good on this rifle as well- the shorter staff or longer - your preference.

Trouble with modern nipples is they'll burn out quickly with slug shooting. Guys who do this for a hobby buy platinum lined nipples as steel and berilium will wear out in as few as 10-20 shots. They burn out the flash hole due to the high pressures that shooting slugs generates. Pressures to 30,000PSI can occur depending on load.
If the gun will shoot with only 70gr. of powder, you might find normal nipples are OK, but pressures will still be over 20,000PSI, 50% higher than most round ball shooting guns.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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500BPE
.224 member


Reged: 07/12/04
Posts: 16
Loc: TN
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #135773 - 21/05/09 01:21 AM

You will need a platinum lined nipple if you shoot your rifle very much. And you have an excellent buy! The rear sight is/was a "stem" that uses a screw to hold it to the "ears" on the tang and you should be able to find one easily. Please do not add or drill into your rifle to add a base for a new rear sight.

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DarylSModerator
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26992
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: 500BPE]
      #135781 - 21/05/09 02:21 AM

Barring finding an original Rigby sight (not likely but you never know) the double cross-holed tang's base on the tang might fit one of the more simple Sharps-type tang sights. Bushing holes on the sight itself or drilling the hole out for whatever sized cross screw without can change to the Rigby appears to be possible. Thus, no changes, front or back, but sights that can be used.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Bramble
.375 member


Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
Re: Rigby Match Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #135799 - 21/05/09 08:47 AM

Huvius.

send me a PM with your e-mail.

I know a chap who builds exquisite re-pro versions of these rifles which are indistinguishable from the original. I cant find his details tonight but I will get them for you. I would imagine that he would be able to supply or make the correct rear sight.

Regards

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