DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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This RIGBY SN:5546 was built on an Original Mauser Magnum action SN:52541 produced in Oberndorf in 1912.
Its history is perfectly clear.
The rifle was delivered to M. Henri CHAMAULTE on September 11, 1939.
Henri CHAMAULTE, former Senator of Cameroon, born on November 6, 1897 in Évreux, France and deceased on December 31, 1957 in Dizangué, Cameroon, was also president of the Union of Planters of Rubber, vice-president of Employers and Artisanal Trade Union of Cameroon, and Director of the Energy Company.
At the end of 1950, the rifle was sold to Jean-François TOBY, Colonial Administrator of Côte d'Ivoire.
Born on 29 January 1900 in Saint-Pierre, Brittany and deceased in Finistère on 28 June 1964, he was appointed Governor of Côte d'Ivoire in 1943. He was then Governor of Niger until 1954 before being appointed ÉFO (French establishments in Oceania) Governor from September 1954 to March 1958.
The last use of this rifle dates back to early 1963, when it was used to shoot a last elephant.
The RIGBY was then entrusted to GASTINNE-RENETTE in Paris for a final revision before its storage. The Parisian gunsmith changed the extractor blade that had become too loose by adapting a BREVEX extractor. Perfectly executed, this unique alteration to the originality of the weapon does not hinder its absolutely perfect functioning.
This RIGBY was then safely stored in its original case for more than fifty years before we could purchase it.
If the canvas case has suffered a little during the multiple transports, the rifle is in a remarkable state of conservation.
The 25" barrel bore is perfect, shiny, without any trace of rust, with perfectly defined grooves.
The whole rifle retains the original rust blue even if on some portions the blue has vanished and turn to brown.
The wood, with its normal traces of handling, is without even a minute crack, and retains its original Silver's pad, slightly cracked on the surface, but still supple.
Lastly, the grip cap contains in its trap the ivory bead front sight numbered to the rifle and protected in a square of oiled cotton fabric closed by red sealing wax.
Obviously the rifle action functioning (feeding, extraction & ejection) is remarkably smooth and reliable.
Here is the description as it appears in the Rigby ledger:
According to Rigby ledgers, just 189 ".416 Bore for Big Game" rifles were made between 1911 and 1940.
No.5546
Mauser Number 52541
Mauser Sporting Big Game
Delivered 11 September 1939 to H. Chamaulte
Weight 10lbs 2oz
Bore .416
25" barrel - 635mm
15" stock
Ivory bead front sight
Rear sight Standard & 2 leaves 100/200 & 300 yds. No2 V
Anti recoil pad
Grip cap with trap
Regards to all.
DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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AhA, stalk just about anything with that rifle. Loverly.
What a treasure.
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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: 3614
Loc: Colorado
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What a great example!
Interesting that a 1912 action would lay in stock (or perhaps the whole rifle) before finally being sold to a customer in 1939.
Also, I cannot see any proof marks on the gun, not even the view mark which is normally found on the receiver ring, is this because it was delivered to a customer outside of the U.K.?
If it does have British proofs, are they pre or post 1925? Did the rifle proofs change in 1925 like the shotgun proofs did - I am unsure.
I can only imagine finding a rifle like this today and with all the hype around Rigby right now, no better time to come across one!
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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.
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mckinney
.400 member
Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1237
Loc: usa
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Stunning example. This is as good as it gets.
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DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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Quote:
What a great example!
Interesting that a 1912 action would lay in stock (or perhaps the whole rifle) before finally being sold to a customer in 1939.
Also, I cannot see any proof marks on the gun, not even the view mark which is normally found on the receiver ring, is this because it was delivered to a customer outside of the U.K.?
If it does have British proofs, are they pre or post 1925? Did the rifle proofs change in 1925 like the shotgun proofs did - I am unsure.
I can only imagine finding a rifle like this today and with all the hype around Rigby right now, no better time to come across one!
Huvius,
As on the majority of the RIGBY, .350 and .416 of the period, the proof marks are under the barrel.
Don't forget that the barreled action came assembled in the white directly from Mauser in Oberndorf.
You will notice the "Not English Made" stamp underneath the barrel as well as the Mauser serial number (here 52541) that appears on all the parts.
Sorry for the bad pictures shot too hastily.
DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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And the price was? Enormous?
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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Huvius
.416 member
Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3614
Loc: Colorado
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Ahh, I see.
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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4416
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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Quote:
Stunning example. This is as good as it gets.
I don't think anyone could have put it better!
What a treasure to have & pass on.
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dons
.333 member
Reged: 18/08/07
Posts: 431
Loc: Essex
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What a magnificent rifle. 
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lonewulf
.300 member
Reged: 06/08/12
Posts: 227
Loc: South-East Otago, New Zealand
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The Rigby people really understood elegance. There is nothing on that rifle that any sane individual would alter or attempt to 'improve'.
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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Quote:
The Rigby people really understood elegance. There is nothing on that rifle that any sane individual would alter or attempt to 'improve'.
That be different then as every other firearm seems to get picked over.
Now is the original trigger improvable?
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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Huvius
.416 member
Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3614
Loc: Colorado
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Quote:
Now is the original trigger improvable?
Not really on an unscoped dangerous game rifle. Oberndorf sporter triggers are generally unassailable IMO particularly on a rifle such as this.
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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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Stoning? Surely a modern trigger would be better installed...SHAME ON YOU GRIFF!
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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MMBA
.275 member
Reged: 12/12/15
Posts: 89
Loc: NSW Australia
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Well said 9.3x64. Treasure.
Once again Thankyou DORLEAC.
Edited by MMBA (16/03/17 04:31 PM)
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Joel- I did not know that rust blue might turn back to brown - or brownish - must have been due to the UV rays? That's my guess, as the underside of the barrel is still blue.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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mckinney
.400 member
Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1237
Loc: usa
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Still enjoying the photos.
It's interesting that these pre-war Rigbys don't usually have highly figured wood and that, if they did, it would detract from the look. These rifles have an elegance that is hard to define. The lines? yes, but it's something more than that.
I don't think the look can be duplicated today. It reminds me of efforts to reverse engineer a Stradivari violin or a great wine.
By the way, regarding Henri Chamaulte, if I'm not mistaken George Caswell had a beautiful Holland sidelock in 475 no. 2 that once belonged to him. If I remember correctly it was number 2 of a pair. Messr Chamaulte must have been quite a gun lover. The Holland was also in pristine condition.
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Claydog
.400 member
Reged: 17/08/12
Posts: 1154
Loc: Katherine, Northern Territory ...
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I much prefer the plainer type woods the older rifles usually had. Only my preference but i don't go for the highly figured stocks at all. I can appreciate them as a nice piece of timber, but a true classic gets it beauty from the lines as stated.
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DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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The rifle is fitted with the own version of RIGBY single stage trigger that's nothing other than the traditional Oberndorf trigger kept back by a transverse pin in the trigger-guard opening.
Indeed they also slightly modified the shape by straightening the curve.
The let off breaks like glass and the weight is perfect for a dangerous rifle.
The alteration of the original rust blue color is due to exposure to air and moisture that continues the process, gradually transforming the color.
Wood-protected areas are usually greased and suffer less.
DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com
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FlatTop45
.300 member
Reged: 31/05/16
Posts: 147
Loc: South Texas, U.S.A.
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What a stunning example of a true "working rifle". No bells and whistles, just clean lines and flawless workmanship.
She could have been a "Safe Queen" but she's obviously too good for that. I don't consider the marks she has picked up over the years as abuse. She has obviously earned each and every one!
Simply Gorgeous!
J
Edited by FlatTop45 (16/03/17 06:57 PM)
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eagle27
.400 member
Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1215
Loc: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Z...
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I note the Rigby has a short extractor whereas the one shown in the advertising flyer has a full length extractor with the tail back into the charger hump area just as the extractors on the Oberndorf Magnum Mausers sporters do. Would the extractor have been replaced with a standard length one at some stage or did some of the magnum actions have short extractors?
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Ahmed577
.333 member
Reged: 13/06/13
Posts: 337
Loc: Western Australia
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Magnificent rifle. Have rigby 416 s-n 5117 very similar condition ( engraved with tiger ) . Use to shoot buff and pig in Australia. To hunt with a rifle like these is a wonderful experience. If there is a member in Western Australia who knows how to post photos contact me and we can add to Dorleacs sharing.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
According to Rigby ledgers, just 189 ".416 Bore for Big Game" rifles were made between 1911 and 1940.
Very nice vintage rifle.
Amazing only 189 .416 rifles were sold in all those years. One reason was the Rigby rifles were sold at a considerable price premium and often beyond the wallet of the ordinary hunter of the time.
Interesting to compare that statistic with the new Rigby, where I think more than that number of .416's were sold in the first 12 months (certainly in the first 2 years) alone since the release of the new Big Game model .416 Rigby. Definitely in demand and much appreciated by users in the market for good big bore modern bolt actions.
To me a big plus in the shooting world, selling modern steel and walnut bolt actions rifles, plus in Mauser 98 actions, versus the plastic stainless steel sometimes abominations, most non custom rifles are today. (OK I know some people like them, and they have some merit in some climates  )
Just as a comparison, it would be really nice to know what an excellent example of a vintage .416 Rigby like this is worth today?
Thanks for posting the photos and commentary Joel.
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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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paradox_
.375 member
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia
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Dorleac....simply stunning, and a real treasure. Thank you for sharing such a unique find with us.
Best
Eric
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Walk softly and carry a big stick
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Rule303
.450 member
Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5255
Loc: Woodford Qld
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Quote:
I much prefer the plainer type woods the older rifles usually had. Only my preference but i don't go for the highly figured stocks at all. I can appreciate them as a nice piece of timber, but a true classic gets it beauty from the lines as stated.
Exactly.
FlatTop I agree.
Edited by Rule303 (16/03/17 11:41 PM)
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HistoricBore
.300 member
Reged: 28/09/11
Posts: 232
Loc: United Kingdom
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Vraiment impeccable - un trouveau magnifique!
Le date de septembre 1939 est tres interessante....
Canon Historique
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