NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40675
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Scott,
I am going to borrow one of your photos and post it to the Rigby fb page. This will bring it to their attention, and maybe some info. Of course directly contacting them would also probably work.
If you don't like the above (?) let me know so I can delete it again.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40675
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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I've linked the thread rather than posting the photos as I haven't sought the members permission to use his photos.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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Nitrox, go ahead and borrow the photos if you want... I'm actually planning to pull the rifle back out this afternoon and take some closeups of the sight for confirmation of its completeness. I'll see about taking a nicer overall photo of it at the same time.
By the way, the guys at Rigby got back to me right away and said they could find the info, but would have to charge me 60 euro for the service. Since I'm about a week away from dropping all my cash on a new roof, I've been trying to curtail my small purchases (mostly a psychological exercise to make myself feel better) until after it's done. I figure the records will still be there next month....
Edited by Scott_H (27/07/14 06:40 AM)
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4427
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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Scott_H, you are one lucky bloke to say the least! You can't put a value on history & you matey certainly have buckets of it there - something 99.99% of us wish we could have & never in a lifetime afford. Use it as it should & treat them with respect, one day I hope you past them down to your grandkids.
This old poem below I copied out of a old Guns & Ammo yearbook (1984 I think?) - gave it to my lad when he got his first rifle quite some time ago! Pass it onto your kids - this is what gun ownership is all about, we're just caretakers of history!
A Father's Advice
If a sportsman true you’d be Listen carefully to me. . . Never, never let your gun Pointed be at anyone. That it may unloaded be Matters not the least to me.
When a hedge or fence you cross Though of time it cause a loss From your gun the cartridge take For the greater safety’s sake.
If twixt you and neighboring gun Bird shall fly or beast may run Let this maxim ere be thine "Follow not across the line."
Stops and beaters oft unseen Lurk behind some leafy screen. Calm and steady always be "Never shoot where you can’t see."
You may kill or you may miss But at all times think this: "All the pheasants ever bred Won’t repay for one man dead."
"Early Instruction" By Carl Kauba c. 1902
Written by Mark Beaufoy of Coombe House, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, in 1902, on presenting his eldest son, Henry Mark, with his first gun. Reproduced here by permission of the author’s granddaughter, Mrs. P. M. Guild.
Cheers 93x64mm
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40675
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Thanks Scott.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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OK, here are a few better photos. I'm hardly a patient or competent photographer, so these are about the closest to "glamor shots" that I'll get anytime soon. (heck, I can't even remember to turn off the time stamp in my photos, or at least set the date and time!)
These are of the rifle in "as received" condition. Not even any cleaning done to date. It's almost shamefully dirty, but worth documenting I guess. If you look carefully, you can still see the adhesive that was holding the original butt pad in place when my uncle received the rifle.
Also, the last couple photos show the front and rear sights. I found some close ups of the rear in the picture forum and mine is definitely missing the control knob... And I'm wondering about the groove on the front sight. Was there a hood or accessory that attached here?
Any suggestions on where I could find these parts?





Edited by NitroX (27/07/14 02:14 PM)
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Iowa_303s
.400 member
Reged: 22/03/13
Posts: 1016
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Scott, truly an amazing rifle. Definitely not a safe queen, it shows honest use. Ah the stories it could tell. Thanks for sharing it with us. I look forward to updates on your progress with it and your future adventures with this piece of history.
-------------------- Matt
formerly known as Iowa_303
"Once your reputation is ruined you can live your life quite freely."
"Enkelkinder über alles"
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MFC
.275 member
Reged: 25/07/06
Posts: 59
Loc: Albuquerque, NM
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Thats the stuff dreams are made of right there. I am jealous beyond words. Congratulations and keep us updated.
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pjaln
.375 member
Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 711
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.
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look up the 375 rigby that dorleac posted pics of here and you will see the front sight protector in place ,,...paul
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40675
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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If I could have a Rigby, I would love one like that in .350. I wouldn't do much to it, except fix the minor things.
I've added the photos to the NE server as well.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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I wish I could take some credit for all the kudos, but really I'm just the recipient. Still, thanks everyone.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
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rgg_7
.275 member
Reged: 22/10/07
Posts: 56
Loc: Canada
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One very nice "survivor" rifle.
The pieces missing from your bolt sight most likely will have to be made. There are guys out there who can do this for you....finding original parts might be possible...keep an eye on eBay, GunBroker or other popular auction sites. Never know what turns up.
Just a note...you stock is cracked just behind the rear tang. You need to repair prior to shooting. Generally cause by movement of the action in the stock. Very nice original piece so I'd take some care.
Ron
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Huvius
.416 member
Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3615
Loc: Colorado
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The notches in the front sight are for a hood. Most of the Rigbys which I have looked at are missing the hood too so don't fret too much about that. Is that front blade made of bone? Makes for a nice night sight I would think. I think the Rigby restored by Dorleac has one so you can see what they look like. They are rather long and unattractive so I bet most of them were removed and subsequently lost. Do you know any of the history of the rifle prior to your uncle getting it?
-------------------- He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.
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Cazadero
.375 member
Reged: 17/10/11
Posts: 561
Loc: Texas
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I hope to one day be able to start a sentence with;
Quote:
I recently found out that I'm inheriting...
Very nice rifle. Looks like you mean to take good care of it.
There are stories hidden in there you know.
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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Thanks guys.
Ron, I noticed that split in the photo. (It's not as visible in real life). I can think of a number of ways to fix it that would probably work, but in the interest of not making any mistakes, is there an accepted "right way"? If it was just my "yard sale" savage 30-06, I'd drill the end of the crack from inside the stock, degrease it and then inject some decent epoxy, but since this is a bit less ordinary, I'd at least like to make sure the repair is in line with what a gunsmith would recommend.
Huvius, I was assuming the front sight is ivory or bone, but it might also be some early plastic I suppose. I'm probably going to swap it out for one of the metal sight blades since I'm sure this one is getting a bit delicate.
The short version of the history is that my uncle received it as a gift from his son in law, who inherited it from his grandfather (the original owner). He is apparently not interested in it.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
Edited by Scott_H (28/07/14 07:26 AM)
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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I see what you guys meant by the front sight hood. I just looked at the photos of the rifle that Dorleac restored and understand why i might get lost.
If someone that has either the hood or the rear sight control knob on their rifle would be willing to provide a few critical measurements, I think I can manufacture my own without too much trouble.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
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Squarebridge
.300 member
Reged: 21/08/08
Posts: 129
Loc: Tennessee
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I wouldn't mess with the sight hood. Sliding it on and off will wear the blacking on the barrel. I would instead work on removing the original sight blade and storing it with the others and having a replacement made that can be replaced if it gets broken.
I'd definitely send it to a gunsmith knowledgeable in restoration such as Lon Paul for an assessment and stabilization. Complete disassembly and evaluation with cleaning and conservation of the the wood and metal is time and money well spent.
If you lay the groundwork and take care of the details you can put hundreds of rounds through it and I even take it on safari if that's in the cards for you, but if it was my rifle I would definitely consult professionals and proceed in a stepwise manner.
I would not just clean the bore and shoot it.
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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Quote:
If someone that has the rear sight control knob on their rifle would be willing to provide a few critical measurements, I think I can manufacture my own without too much trouble.
Scott, here are some photos and the measurements of the “control knob” or elevation adjustment disc of my original Rigby peep sight. Diameter of disc: 18.73 mm = .735” Thickness: 2.89 mm = .115” The disc is held to the peep stem by a tiny screw in it’s center, diameter 2.01 mm = .078” A small stud on the disc, diameter 1.58 mm = .062 , 2.3 mm = .09” high, distance from center 7.1 mm = .27”, rides the horizontal slot in the base.


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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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That's exactly what I needed. Thanks Kuduae. Is the distance you quoted from the center to the stud measured from the center of the screw hole to the center of the stud, or from edge to edge? Looking at the design, I don't think it's a critical dimension, but might as well be as accurate as possible.
Squarebridge, Sadly I don't think there are any safari's in my near future! Someone else already recommended Lon Paul and I'm definitely not discounting having a professional look at the rifle. But without any intention of disrespect to the pros around here, there's quite a bit that I'm capable of, and past experiences with specialists have often left me disappointed with the level of attention to detail that some of them have. I generally approach specialty services with caution and ask a lot of questions before I ever get started so that I'm well enough versed to catch on if things start to go amiss.
I was just going to install one of the several metal sight blades in place of the one that's in it... I hadn't thought about making another bone/plastic (or whatever it is) one... Wouldn't be all that tough. I like the idea! In terms of the hood, I'd probably either not use it at all, or leave it installed full time. I just like the idea of having all the original accessories. The rear knob (disc?) is much higher on my list of priorities than the hood though. And I tend to work very slow on this kind of thing. I've got a little savage OU sitting in my safe that's been waiting for me to finish making a new extractor for it for about 8 months now.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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Quote:
Is the distance you quoted from the center to the stud measured from the center of the screw hole to the center of the stud, or from edge to edge? Looking at the design, I don't think it's a critical dimension, but might as well be as accurate as possible.
Center to center, as close as I could determine it using calipers.
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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Thanks again Kuduae.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
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A10ACN
.300 member
Reged: 30/01/05
Posts: 198
Loc: USA
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Fabulous rifle! Not to fault your skills but with the lack of knowledge which you've mentioned and the 100s (1000s?) of unrepairable amateur gunsmith mistakes I've observed, I highly, HIGHLY suggest having a real specialist at least look at this great piece before attempting any, even minor smithing. A lot of the small screws and such are very easy to butcher, for example. It doesn't cost anything to ask and most vintage rifle smiths would love to have a look at this neat old gal. Let me throw in that Lon Paul is an all around nice guy, too, whether you go with him or not.
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A10ACN
.300 member
Reged: 30/01/05
Posts: 198
Loc: USA
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I just noted that you are in AZ. Wells Sports Store in Prescott is the shop of the late Mauser Master, Fred Wells. Although Fred passed away a few years back, his son Rube is a life long Mauser lover, repairer, and full on builder. I would call him and take it over for them to look over. (928) 445-3655 according to Google.
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Scott_H
.224 member
Reged: 15/07/14
Posts: 37
Loc: AZ USA
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Lon has been recommended to me a few times now. Once I get back to actually doing anything with this rifle I plan to give him a call. For now it's safely tucked away in my safe while I handle other more pressing projects.
In terms of what I can and can't do; I think I mentioned earlier that I am very cautious and ask a lot of questions before I do anything. I'd never jump willy nilly into a new project without thoroughly making sure that it's within my abilities. But I'm not without skills. I'm a former professional fine jeweler and metalsmith, amateur machinist (and budding gunsmith), and lifelong hotrodder/auto restorer. I appreciate the concern, but please take my word for the fact that I have a good handle on things and know enough to either do the job right or recognize if its beyond my abilities. Asking for input and advice before starting is just good practice.
-------------------- Not sure when I went from "I know it all" to "I have so much to learn".
Edited by Scott_H (19/08/14 07:09 AM)
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