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Well, sure, but the doll's head per se is not a third bite.

The Rigby-Bissell rising bite is.

A third bite is generally considered to strengthen the doll's head or whatever rib extension is used.

One would expect that to be an advantage on double rifles where pressure is significantly higher than shotguns. But having said that, third bites are not uncommon on higher-grade shotguns as well.

...and maybe on more modest-grade guns too of you regard the Greener cross-bolt as a third bite!

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I would like to know if a Rigby rising bite can do that--hold the barrels closed.

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transvaal:
There is no way a double gun with the Rigby-Bissell rising bite, sans under-bolt, could be opened without operating the top-lever. Its a real bite alright!

Not guaranteeing the rising bite alone could cope with the pressure of firing, but I strongly suspect it would. Same with most other third bites.

I do agree that the screw-grip is unquestionably the strongest, due in part to the Webley "A&W C" long-bar action that featured it, but cross-bolts can be built strongly too.

...and don't forget the Westley Richards C-bolt guns that were built without any under-bolting whatsoever. What we might regard today as a doll's head with third bite was in fact the first and only bite in that case!

Action strength is all relative anyway:
I have a Rigby rising-bite double, a Webley screw-grip .577, a bunch of cross-bolted doubles (mostly Greeners but a couple of Cashmores and a few others), a Jeffery double with third bite on the dolls-head, even a Dougal lock-fast. And plenty with nothing more than the Purdey under-bolt. They were all strong enough to pass proof and all still lock up tight today, in some cases more than a century later.

And that is simply marvellous!

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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...and don't forget the Westley Richards C-bolt guns that were built without any under-bolting whatsoever. What we might regard today as a doll's head with third bite was in fact the first and only bite in that case!


Marrakai;

Thanks for your observations on the Rigby rising bite.

No, I have not forgotten about the WR guns that were built without a under locking bolt, and that fact helped precipitate my comment about Pugwash because formerly he was shop foreman at WR I would be interested in his opinion on the strength of the WR verses the Scott screw grip.

You have an interesting battery of fine double rifles. I envy you.

Stephen

Edited by transvaal (22/10/20 10:34 AM)

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