Wednesday 13 July 2016

The Rigby's Duelling/Target Pistol Production.



The Rigby's 

 Duelling /Target 

Pistol Production.

1818-1865.


For the data included within this blog we are indebted to the work of D.H.L. Back. Great Irish Gunmakers,Messrs Rigby 1760-1869. Norwich 1992. 

Unfortunately, full records prior to 1821 do not exist and therefore this information is lost in the mist of time but hopefully in the future more knowledge will be gained for the period 1781-1818 when John Rigby Snr could be regarded as the father of the guntrade in Dublin...if not the whole of Ireland.

What is evident from the official registers covering the 1818-1865 period is just how few of this style of pistol were produced by the Rigby's. i.e., (93) Pairs and (2) single pistols. (+2 estimated).


1818-1865




The following are a sample of serial numbered and dated pistols produced by the Rigby's for the above period:-

                                             
                                                         
Serial No 6315/6316 for 1828.
                                                                 36 bore. 9" Barrels.
 Serial No. 6558/6559 for 1829
32 Bore. 8.3/4" Barrels.
Serial No. 7455/7456 for 1834


Serial No.7818/7819 for 1835
36 Bore. 9" Barrels.

                                                     Serial No 9780/9781 for 1847.
  
We would be pleased to know of any other serial numbered Rigby Duelling/Target pistols to include within this survey. Confidentiality assured.

                                    N.B: A future blog will cover the period 1781-1818.

   Special thanks to the owners of the above pistols for photography and the permission to publish.

                                              Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk

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