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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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