Thursday 29 October 2015

Wm & Jn Rigby Serial 9341




Wm & Jn Rigby

Featured Pistol

Six Shot Revolver

Serial No 9341






Wm & Jn Rigby   60 bore 6 shot revolver. ( photography courtesy A. Iosson)

                                     
William & John Rigby were involved in the production of this type of revolver for a period of
15 years. The first being sold in 1843 (serial no 9029).  In total the Rigby register* shows only 152
having been manufactured and sold.  However, examples have been found unnumbered which leads us to believe they were manufactured under contract or under licence by other Dublin gunmakers associated with the Rigby house.

In the Dublin trade directory of 1835 no less than 9 gunmakers listed were ex employees of the Rigby's. All these gunmakers would have been trained to a very high level and this is where Rigby could place work when his production levels dictated. No doubt Ribgy supplying the parts
from his 24 Suffolk Street manufactory.



  
Dublin Trade Directory 1835
Anglin Joseph Bath Street, Irishtown. # ex Rigby
Aston John 44 Gt Brunswick Street # ex Rigby
Calderwood Thomas 14 Earl Street.N. to Lord lieutenant.
Dempsey William 192 Gt Britain Street
Devine James Howth
Flanagan Martin Sea View. Irishtown # ex Rigby
Gallagher Henry 207 Gt Britain Street
Hanson Charles 36 Grangegorman Lane.
Harris Henry Sandymount Ave # Ex Rigby
Kavanagh William 4 Ormond Quay
Lanigan John 14 College Green
Mc Laughlin Edward 9 Bolton Street # ex Rigby
Murphy 190 Britain Street Gun Barrel
O'Flanaghan Francis 10 Erne Street
Parkinson John 19 Arran Quay
Pattison  Mark & John 17 Crampton Court
Pepper George 25 Capel Street
Quinlan Thomas 1 Kelly's Court # ex Rigby
Rigby William & John 24 Suffolk Street. Shooting Gallery #
Ryder Thomas Seafield. Sandymount. Armourer to the pigeon House.
Smith  George Bath Street, Irishtown. # ex Rigby
Truelock William & Son 9 Dawson Street
Tuite Richard Sea View. Irishtown # Ex Rigby
Wilson James 43 New Row, Thomas Street.
Willett Robert Bath Street, Irishtown. # Ex Rigby




            Wm & Jn Rigby Revolver No 9341. Removable nipple shield (two screws). 1844.
                                                  (Photography courtesy A. Iosson)

The above model being one of the first batch sold has a two piece grip (common). The rarer model having a single piece grip.
In addition, the above model has a detachable nipple shield with two screws. Later pistols are found with integral nipple shields or alternatively removable nipple shields with three screws.

Of the 152 revolvers listed in the Rigby Register*, 54 were sold cased with all accoutrements
including the brass shot measure at a cost of 12 guineas each.

We are always interested in knowing of serial numbered Pepperbox Revolvers manufactured by the Rigby house or those produced by their associate Dublin houses.

The above notes are a condensed version of an article written for the Bisley Antique & Classic Arms Fair in October 2014. This article available on request.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

*Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby.


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