Wm & Jn Rigby Revolver Production 1843- 1857.

Wm & Jn Rigby

Gunmakers

Dublin

 Image courtesy of Thomas Del Mar Ltd..

28/6/2011

The above revolver being serial 10471 produced in 1853. This 80 bore, six-shot was originally sold to H.Donavan*

It's other main features being the two-piece grip and quick release barrel cluster buttons.This feature being introduced in 1846.

From D.H.L Backs fine title; Great Irish Gunmakers Messrs Rigby 1760-1869 * it is evident that the Rigby's officially produced only 152 of this style of revolver, be it in various formats between 1843 -1857.  However, a number of these revolvers are to be found without serial numbers. These un-numbered pieces, it is believed, were assembled from parts supplied by the Rigby's 24 Suffolk Street manufactory to ex employees of the Rigbys. 

Interestingly the 1835 Dublin Trades Directory lists no less than nine ex employees (gunmakers) of Wm & Jn Rigby who were now in business in their own right. These being: Joseph Anglin, John Aston, Martin Flanagan, Henry Harris, Edward Mc Laughlin, Thomas Quinlan, George Smith, Richard Tuite and Robert Willett.

In addition, other large gun manfactory's at this time were buying in high quality barrels and parts from the Rigbys. These included such doyens of the trade as the Calderwoods, Trulock & Son ,  Kavanagh's and many others who produced "Rigby" style and pattern weapons. Hence, we find so many guns that at first glance look to be Rigby's.

                              Please refer to our older post with respect to Rigby revolvers.

                                                Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk