SUPERB JOHN RIGBY & CO. RISING BITE EJECTOR .500/.450 BPE DOUBLE RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER. s/n 15952 (1886). 26" shoe lump barrels with through-lump and slightly raised, full-length rib bearing a rear express sight with one standing leaf and one folding, bladed foresight topped with brass bead, and engraved "Jn. Rigby & Co. 72 St. James's Street London and Dublin". Forward sling mount is attached to rib without screws and appears factory-original. Stamped on each barrel flat, in order, from muzzle to breech: crown over GP proofmark, "430", crown over V viewmark, provisional proof, and Rigby's "TRADE / RR/ MARK". Firearm s/n is stamped between barrel lumps. Case hardened Rising Bite action features Rigby's signature double-dipped lockplates, SAFE in gold, automatic safety, extended top tang, bushed strikers,  and double triggers. Action is engraved in a classic small-scroll pattern with central pinwheel on each lockplate. Elegant carved leaf motif wraps from below the fences, ending adjacent to the Rising Bite pocket at top/center of action behind standing face. "Jn. Rigby & Co" engraved at the bottom/front of each lock plate. Serial number and matching small-scroll engraved on trigger guard which stops slightly short of horn grip cap. Moderately figured European walnut stock with horn-capped pistol grip  measures 14 1/8" LOP over serrated horn buttplate. Rear sling mount is compatible with thong-style sling. Stock features the usual, and well-executed, drop points and point-pattern checkering with mullered front and bottom borders. Forearm features a Harvey grip catch release, with very secure detent, and point-pattern checkering with fore and aft mullered borders. Iron bears the serial number and "TRADE / RR / MARK".

CONDITION: Overall outstanding condition with action colors mostly intact, showing light silvering on beads and fences. Extended top tang is silvered from the safety back. Barrel bluing shows thinning at muzzles and breech, indicative of honest use with good care. Trigger plate screw retains most of its original nitre bluing. Trigger guard bluing is grayed and appears to have been refreshed at some point. Stock and forearm finish appear to have been possibly refreshed, though done well if so. Wood is in overall outstanding condition with no apparent oil-soak or other damage, showing only light scattered handling marks as would be expected on a 130 year old rifle. Action locks up tight and barrels are on-face. Forearm latches up solidly with no play. Ejectors function and are in time. Barrel drop is good. Case is a modern, leather-covered replacement bearing H&H maker's label. No accessories included. (34077) SGR