John Rigby & Co 12 GA 28” 2 3/4″ SxS Hammer Shotgun Factory Refurbished
SOLD FOR: $1,400.88
LSB#: LSB250930KK014
Make: John Rigby & Co,
Model: SxS Exposed Hammer Shotgun
Serial Number: 13905
Year of Manufacture: Early 20th Century / C&R
Gauge: 12, chambered for 2 3/4” shells
Action Type: Top-Break Double Rebounding Hammer Shotgun with Extractor, Underlever.
Markings: Both sides of the side plates are marked “J. Rigby and Co”. The bottom of both barrels are marked with a matching series of British Proofs each.
Barrel Length: 30” sleeved by factory for smokeless powder.
Choke: Right: Improved Cylinder / Left: Modified, Fixed
Sights/Optics: There is a small brass post on the center rib.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb,and metal buttplate with a straight cast. Th buttstock appears to have been replaced. The buttstock has light nicks, dings, and compressions throughout. The checkering has minor wear and flat spots. The LOP measures 14.25” from the front the front face of the forward trigger and 13.25” from the rear trigger to the back of the plate. The drop at comb is 1.5″ and the drop at heel is 2.5″. Overall, the stocks rate in Good + condition given the age.
Type of Finish: Blued.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: Both bores are bright. In this writer’s opinion the bores rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The barrels have been sleeved by Rigby and refinished. The watertable and barrels have had updated proofs stamped. There are small spots of discoloration and light pitting on the barrels and minor age wear on the hammers, trigger guard, and receiver. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. This gun was used some after the factory refurbish but has been well taken care of. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good condition considering the age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is tight with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This John Rigby and Co side by side hammer shotgun represents the work of one of Britain’s most respected sporting arms makers, long associated with quality, durability, and practical elegance. Rigby hammer doubles from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were built for serious field use, combining traditional exposed rebounding hammers with robust actions suited to heavy shooting. This example reflects Rigby’s willingness to keep quality guns serviceable well into the smokeless era through factory refurbishment rather than replacement.
This shotgun features 30 inch barrels that were factory sleeved by Rigby for smokeless powder use and subsequently refinished, with updated British proofs correctly applied to the watertable and barrels. It is chambered for 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge shells and choked improved cylinder in the right barrel and modified in the left. The metal retains approximately 95 percent of its refinish, with only minor discoloration spots and pitting on the barrels and light age wear visible on the hammers, trigger guard, and receiver. The Rigby markings on the side plates remain crisp and legible, and the screw heads are sharp, reflecting careful maintenance after refurbishment.
The bores are bright and exceptionally clean, rating 9.5 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The two piece checkered wood stock set includes a splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb, and metal buttplate, with the buttstock appearing to be a later replacement. The wood shows light nicks, dings, and compressions with minor flattening in the checkering but presents well overall, rating good plus condition for its age. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with tight lockup and no play. Overall, this shotgun presents as a well executed factory refurbished Rigby hammer double that has seen limited use since refurbishment and remains a very attractive and serviceable example of a classic British sporting shotgun. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
