Spring 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
May 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2025
This auction has concluded, thank you all for your participation! Please visit our homepage for upcoming auction info
WONDERFUL CASED PAIR OF W & J RIGBY DOUBLE BARREL SINGLE TRIGGER PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOLS EX W. KEITH NEAL COLLECTION
01-26476
Cal. 50 Smooth Bore
S#. 10043 & 10044
A Mr. W. Keith Neal calling card found in the case of these pistols is inscribed “Private Collection” on front and “These Rigby pistols were made for August Arthur Esquire of Limerick in 1848 vide Rigby’s records” on rear. These small size (8-1/2″ overall) well made pistols have 3-1/8″etched damascus double barrels fitted with bridled steel ramrods. Tops of barrels are engraved “Wm. & Jn. Rigby Dublin”. Breech plugs have vented platinum blowouts, platinum lines around forward edges and scroll engraved rib extensions. Bottoms of barrels and breech plugs are stamped with S#’s which are also found in barrel channels. Breech irons are very nicely scroll engraved. Back spring locks have plates with tails shaped to follow shape of stocks and are fitted with round faced serpentine hammers with stylized dolphin heads. Locks are engraved with very well cut large open scroll within geometric borders “Wm. & Jn. Rigby” in a scroll is on each lockplate. These fine double barrel pistols are fitted with single non-selective triggers; firing right lock first. Trigger plates have stylized pineapple finials. Blued trigger guards are also scroll engraved. European walnut stocks with fishtail grips have engraved steel caps and grips are checkered in point pattern. Vacant silver rectangles are at tops of grips. Stocks attach to barrels with captive sidebolts through oval engraved steel escutcheons. Ramrods mount through engraved steel thimbles.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: guns are housed in their original mahogany case with fancy brass inlay on top. Case is lined in green cloth. Bottom compartment fits pistols well and contains a red Morocco covered powder, ball and patch flask. A tin of Joyce percussion caps and a nutcracker type steel round ball mould marked “36”. One covered compartment with bone knob has Keith Neal Collection medal #C124 attached. Compartment contains Christie’s 8 Nov 1995 auction tag #199 which is printed on back with Keith Neal info. Another compartment holds aforementioned calling card and the key to this case.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
