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Product Details
JNO. RIGBY & CO.
A GAME-SCENE ENGRAVED 12-BORE RIGBY & BISSELL 1879 PATENT SIDELOCK EJECTOR, serial no. 16478,
for 1896, 28in. black powder only bold etched damascus barrels, bordered at the muzzles and with stylised foliate bands at the breech end, the rib with two banners, the first inlaid in gold script 'C.F. FOWLER MOODUS CONN.', the second engraved in gothic script 'Jno. Rigby & Co. 72 St. James's Street. London AND AT Dublin', 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/2 and 3/4 choke, treble-grip action incorporating J. Rigby and T. Bissell patent rising third bite, patent no. 1141 of 1879, use number 660, unusually deeply carved leaf fences with central game birds, slender toplever with a further bird, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, the slide carved in relief with a squirrel, dipped-edge lockplates gold-inlaid 'Jno. Rigby & Co.' in black type, the whole profusely engraved with scrolling acanthus surrounding game scene vignettes of various game birds, the triggerguard engraved with a hound flushing fowl and gold-inlaid with the serial number, retaining much likely original colour-hardening and finish, 14in. figured stock including horn buttplate, fore-end with grip-catch release lever engraved 'RIGBY'S PATENT' and with acanthus scrollwork, ejector/non-ejector selector nut, weight 6lb. 8oz., in a modern brass-cornered oak and leather case
Provenance: A letter from the makers informs that the gun was completed in December 1896 "for F.C. Fowler Esq., with engraving by Mr Doncaster. It is a best toplever vertical bolt ejector, hammerless double gun with damascus barrels (28in.)"
Other Notes: Frank Chester Fowler of Moodus Connecticut, author under the name of Professor F.C. Fowler, developed a medicine called 'Dr Rudolphe's Specific Remedy', about which in 1891 he published his treatise:
'Good News for Weak, Debilitated Men. The Particulars or a Simple and Certain Means of Home-Cure for those suffering from the Effects of Imprudence, Excesses, Wasting Weakness, Urinary Diseases, Lost Vitality, Nervous Debility, Early Decay, Loss of Memory, Despondency, Gleet, and Premature Old Age. Showing Clearly how any one thus Afflicted may Speedily, Cheaply and Permanently Restore Themselves to Health, Strength and Vigor, by the use of Dr. Rudolphe's Specific Remedy".
In 1896, the same year as ordering his Rigby gun, he published a second work "LIFE; How to enjoy and How to Prolong it' - a modern reprint of which accompanies the Lot, which presents, amongst other ideas, some thoughts on 'horde of Specialists, for the most part unscrupulous adventurers - men without attainments, except that they have graduated with high honors from the school of swindlers. These creatures flood the country with their pamphlets and circulars in which they give you a vast amount of information -free gratis prompted by a benevolent desire to warn young men of the terrible con sequences of self abuse, and get their money. All these harpies are thoroughly competent to warn others - for have they not been guilty of the sin themselves? And therefore know all about it?'
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Estimate £3,000-5,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act