John Rigby. Gunmaker.

John Rigby

Gunmaker

19 Suffolk Street

Dublin.

                                                 John Rigby: His first trade label?

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.

This advert is full of interesting details. The fact that he underwent a ten year training. Meaning he entered the trade in circa 1774.... and that he worked with the masters of the trade. Implying more than one.

          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.