I'd be interested in your feedback on this Rigby side by side marked "The Chatsworth" on it's sunken rib. The action looks like a standard Webley & Scott but with much better engraving. The secret date code shows crossed scepters and the letter "R" which I take to be 1936. The trade label in the Rigby motor-case that came with the gun refers to King George VI whose brother only abdicated in December 1936, so the case and it's trade label might have been made up shortly afterwards in the new year.
The gun is open choked; 1/4 and 1/2. 28" barrels, 2,1/2" chambers, good bores. Tight action still goes snick! Ejects nicely. Straight stock with a light cast and just 2" drop at heel but seems to fit well. Unlike my Webley & Scott of this vintage, there is no 3rd bite, being more like a Holland and Holland.
This shotgun was sold to me by a gunshop owner, who said he purchased it off the original owner who was given it new as a wedding present by his parents. The second owner's son "couldn't shoot a side by side" and much preferred to shoot an over and under, so it came up for sale. He was told there were only 10 like it made. I'm not so sure about that.
This shotgun ticks all the boxes for me in terms of the features I'd want in a gun with "walked up" pheasant shooting in mind. Not too flash to use, but not too plain either. It's looking like the one they'll have to pry from my "cold dead hands" !!!
I'm guessing it was Rigby's entry-level boxlock for a number of years? I'm sure some of you with Rigby histories can better comment.
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