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JOHN RIGBY 7mm MAUSER - A RARE EXPERIMENTAL BULLPUP or A CUSTOM RIFLE FOR A ONE ARM MAN

I just added this one to my collection. I've always liked the "different" guns, and this one sure fits that definition. I can't wait to get it in hand. I will be contacting John Rigby asking for any information available for this rifle.

As always your comments are most welcome.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/RIGBY-ONE-000.jpg

I heard through the grapevine that Hodgdon in its infinite wisdom is now publishing 12 gauge loads for 244.

Sure enough, the website has quite a few loads many with some of the new wave wads, and many with pressures on the low side for the claimed velocity levels at least in the one ounce selections.

Surprising. This powder was initially marketed for pistol applications with a copper scavenger and low flash characteristics. My source claims it's either an alternative to or an eventual replacement for WST. This is just one word of mouth claim.

The main attraction at this point is that the stuff is available, and good bit cheaper than WST and the Alliant extortion when you can find any. I'm not saying it's cheap. It certainly isn't. We are still being robbed.

If you want one ounce loads in the 7200 psi range with snappy velocity, you might want to investigate 244.

Buckstix’s recent post about a Sauer 8x57 taken into military service 1914/5 reminded me of this old veteran taken into service on the other side of the conflict at the same time.

It started life as a Model 1892 Steyr Mannlicher Romanian service rifle.

At some point prior to 1914 Daniel Fraser converted it to a stalking rife. He used the original military stock cut down to half length, added a longitudinal foresight dovetail for a caterpillar sporting foresight, a 3 leaf (all folding to clear the view for the Lyman cocking piece peep sight) express sight and cut a transverse dovetail for the Lyman sight at the back of the cocking piece.

The bolt handle, originally straight is curved down.

He marked the barrel “Shot and Regulated by” with his address and stamped a D. Fraser cartouche on the right side of the butt.

Then (note the British Government crossed flags Proof or Acceptance mark stamped partly over the NITRO PROOF mark on the barrel) it was taken into British military service.

A number of Mannlicher rifles in this calibre have been observed with these marks.

The late Tony Edwards, author of 4 volumes on British substitute standard Great War small arms, was unable to find any documentation on their purchases or deployment.

Theories include sniper use, sniper training or Royal Navy use to sink mines by trawler crews.