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dearmer
.275 member

Reged: 14/10/05
Posts: 63
Loc: Cape Cod, MA

Question on Early British Nitro Proof
#95769 - 02/02/08 12:10 PM

I just received a rising bite Rigby in 450. According to the ledger it was delivered on 22 Feb 1905. It weighs 11 LBS 6 OZ. The tops of the barrels are marked "Special 450 Bore Big-Game Rifle" and "For Special Cordite Cartridges Bullet 480 GRS"
The barrel flats however only have London Provisional, GP and V proof markings along with 450EX.

Everything points to a Nitro rifle but no nitro proofs. I assume it was probably completed a good while before it was delivered and therefor likely before the 1904 NP markings came into being. So...how do you tell for sure if a rifle made between 1898 and 1904-5 is really a full Nitro?

Thanks,
Josh

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AkMike
.416 member

Reged: 19/11/05
Posts: 2576
Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Re: Question on Early British Nitro Proof [Re: dearmer]
#95771 - 02/02/08 01:15 PM

What's the weight of it? 10# or so?

--------------------
"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; you may know that your society is doomed." Ayn Rand

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dearmer
.275 member

Reged: 14/10/05
Posts: 63
Loc: Cape Cod, MA

Re: Question on Early British Nitro Proof [Re: AkMike]
#95815 - 03/02/08 12:56 AM

No 11 LBS 6 OZ. Weight definitely points to a full Nitro.

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Anonymous
Unregistered

Re: Question on Early British Nitro Proof [Re: dearmer]
#96538 - 11/02/08 03:49 PM

Quote:

I just received a rising bite Rigby in 450. According to the ledger it was delivered on 22 Feb 1905. It weighs 11 LBS 6 OZ. The tops of the barrels are marked "Special 450 Bore Big-Game Rifle" and "For Special Cordite Cartridges Bullet 480 GRS"
The barrel flats however only have London Provisional, GP and V proof markings along with 450EX.

Everything points to a Nitro rifle but no nitro proofs. I assume it was probably completed a good while before it was delivered and therefor likely before the 1904 NP markings came into being. So...how do you tell for sure if a rifle made between 1898 and 1904-5 is really a full Nitro?

Thanks,
Josh

If it was delivered in 1905 is should be stamped NP with a hammer over it. Some rifles prior to 1904 that were made for nitro were then stamped "nitro prooved" on the flats. Your gun is likely a conversion from Black even though the weight is proper for nitro as well. You have a transitional Rigby there.

Hope this helps.

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500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Question on Early British Nitro Proof [Re: ]
#96540 - 11/02/08 03:55 PM

Sinner

I disagree with you there. Delivery date has [Email]fucK[/Email] all to do with proof marks.

Secondly, the gun is built and weighs for a Nitro.

How can you say it is a BP gun conversion ? If it was built to a Nitro weightm then ?????? Please explain your reasoning ?

Aot of guns built 1898 - 1904 were also NOT marked with Nitro proof marks.

I'd like to know the Serial Number of the gun as that would give a good indication.

Edited by 500Nitro (14/02/08 12:15 AM)

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dearmer
.275 member

Reged: 14/10/05
Posts: 63
Loc: Cape Cod, MA

Re: Question on Early British Nitro Proof [Re: 500Nitro]
#96672 - 14/02/08 12:06 AM

This is what Paul had to say.

Dear Josh

Regarding your Rigby .450 cal rifle, I have looked it up in my copy of the records and can confirm that it is a nitro rifle. All the early .450 Nitros (yours was made in 1905) do not bear nitro proof marks as the proof house had not yet set up nitro proofing. By “nitro” I mean designed to shoot the .450 x 3 ¼ Cordite cartridge. I have in fact never seen a pre 1905 DB .450 that had period nitro proofs. However I am surprised that ______ did not proof the rifle whilst he had it.
When I had Rigby’s I proofed over 20 of these early .450 nitro rifles. I suggest that it is brought back to the UK and proofed, I am sure _______ would be happy to proof it for you.

Meanwhile do not hesitate to use it with the correct .450 x 3 ¼ nitro ammo if you have a hunt organised.

The original weight of the rifle is listed at 11 lbs 6 ozs – that is not a Black Powder Rifle.

Best regards
PAUL ROBERTS

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