John Rigby
Gunmaker
19 Suffolk Street
Dublin.
John Rigby first appears in the Dublin trade directory for 1784 and trading from 14 College Green.
Who trained Rigby is unclear but any one of the eminent gunmakers from the 1774 directory list below are candidates. D.H.L Back in "Great Irish Gunmakers Messr's Rigby" cites Edward Dalton or Thomas Truelock as possibilities.
In our experience a major event normally induces change and the fact that Lewis Alley, Gunmaker of 2 Palace Street was killed in 1783 following a fall from his horse could just be that catalyst?
John Rigby, if in Lewis Alley's employ , could have made the decision to trade in his own right?
John Rigby, it is unlikely that he produced a trade label for the 14 College Green address as he only traded there,in his own right, for a period of a year. (Directory evidence only) We have evidence of his move to 19 Suffolk Street in 1784 below. The registers for John Rigby as printed through D.H.L Back's publication "Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby" lists less than ten weapons attributed to John Rigby for the period 1781-1783?*
These weapons could just be his first weapons produced in the Rigby name although still under the employ of his master, whoever that was?
Research on-going.
Dublin Gunmakers listed for
1774
Alley | Lewis | Gt Ship St | ||
Dalton | Edward | College Green | ||
Devine | Thomas | Abbey St | ||
Gelous | Robert | Francis st | ||
Govers | John | Dame St | ||
Lord & Hutchinson | Dame st | |||
Rainsford | James | Dame st | ||
Thorp | Thomas | Darby Sq | ||
Truelock | Thomas | Dame st | ||
Wheeler | Oliver | Fade St |
John Rigby is proud to state: " Real Irish Manufacture" and "Equal to any made in London"
The Rigby's would rise to be the most respected gunmaker's not only in Dublin but internationally.
Whether for rifle manufacture, rifle shooting or more importantly for the excellence of their production from the earliest period of John Rigby's career. William, his son, continued the work of his father and following through the generations Williams son ,John would go on to be Superintendent of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Enfield.
For further reading on the Rigby family of gunmaker's please refer to David H. L. Back's book Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby . An absolute must read and more importantly a reference work to cherish.
Finding a copy of this long out of print work is difficult. If you see a copy for sale buy it. If not let us know and we will!!!
Needless to say the Rigby name will feature regularly throughout these blogs purely because
the influence they had on the Irish guntrade was so immense.
Should you have any additional data on the early activity of John Rigby we would be pleased to hear from you.
Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk
* See Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby by D.H.L.Back.
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