Hi Folks

I have an option of a .450 3 1/4" Nitro Rigby double built in 1909 for a fellow called Cpt F.W Barret.

Originally it had 28 " barrels but it was sent to Rigbys last year and the barrels were shortened to 25 1/2" and it was given a complete one over and looks in beautiful condition.

Any suggestions on what a fair price on this double would be. The asking price seems a little stiff!! Thanks Buzz

Buzz....this will be interesting.
From my view, the rifle could be valued at anywhere from the low 20s to mid 30s depending not only on condition but history.
If you are collecting it's one set of values, if you want a great field gun I wouldn't go beyond the 20s.

If Rigby has just given it a go over, this is good. Rifles of that era were notorious for not really being .458. This was especially common with the .450. I would imagine that Rigby's also had it re-proofed and re-regulated if necessary to make sure it works with modern ammo (Kynoch or Hornady).

There is some sentimental value in a gun of this era. There is a lot to be said, however, for modern steel. Were I in your line of work (and I am not), I might be inclined to a recently manufactured gun, such as a Heym.

The old guns are nice to fondle though. Good luck.

Buzz

Might be worth asking Dig Diggory of Vintage arms ( http://www.vintageguns.co.uk/ ) in the UK who posts here as smallbore for his opinion.

There's not much he doesn't know about old Brit firearms.

Buzz,

A lot will depend on what model of Rigby DR it is. They made their best grade rifle as a sidelock and had N0 2 and No 3 grades in boxlock form. There is a wide difference in price between the sidelock and box lock rifles.

465H&H

Buzzer,

Since I have an interest in you having the best shootable double, I suggest contacting George at Champlain's for double advice. Also check on bullet type and weight, charge,etc. that the double was regulated at. The previous advice to get a good fitting current Double Rifle in your selected caliber is probably a wise approach.

Can't wait to see your choice in 2012.

Cheers, Paul M (Dakota)

Knowing you Buzz, the guy is probably making a gift of it, so what does the value matter?

Buzz,

This would appear to be your lad.

Regards, Tim

F. W. BarrettLikeInterest.Description
.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Major Frederick W. Barrett was an English international polo player.

Biography
He competed on the England polo team in the 1914 and 1921 Westchester Cup. The English team were victorious in 1914 ending a series of losses.

Barrett competed for Great Britain in the 1920 Summer Olympics at Antwerp. The British Polo Team defeated Spain in the final to win the Gold Medal. He also competed in 1924 in Paris receiving the Bronze Medal.

Legacy
His name can also be found on the winners of the Roehampton Trophy.

Private Life
Captain “Rattle” Barrett was in the 15th Hussars, he had been a successful steeplechase rider and only tok to polo when his regiment went to India in 1902. On Leaving the Army Barrett began to train race horses, he trained winners for three british Monarchs George V, Edward VIII and George VI. His most notable win was in the Scottish Grand National 1931 with Annadale.

Barrett was married to Honorable Isobel Caroline, Lord Kensington's daughter. The two of them lived at Wroughton Hall, Wiltshire.

I would post this over in the double rifle forum.

quote:

Originally posted by Cane Rat:
I would post this over in the double rifle forum.

Agree, you will get a more comprehensive response on that forum.

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Hi Folks....

... The asking price seems a little stiff!! Thanks Buzz

Can't resist...have you looked at your safari prices lately..??

Good luck

I can’t shed any light on the Rigby but I do have Capt. F. W. Barrett`s Webley .455 revolver complete with her Army & Navy Co-operative Society presentation case.





I thought you all would like to see this.

Hi All

Thanks all for the info and leads. Wow the power of the internet!!Tim thanks very much for info on Barret- quite something especially with the fact that John has his beautiful 455!!

It truly looks beautiful and is tight and shoots a beautiful group. The problem here is there are very few gunsmiths that would have any idea on what a fair price would be.

He sold a similiar gun in exact same caliber/ make for us$50k and he says this one is in better condition. And Bill as I know if I did not mention this you would come up with a snide comment this is way out of my league and am looking at it for a mate of mine!!! Thanks once again for all the help guys! Cheers Buzz

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Hi All

Thanks all for the info and leads. Wow the power of the internet!!Tim thanks very much for info on Barret- quite something especially with the fact that John has his beautiful 455!!

It truly looks beautiful and is tight and shoots a beautiful group. The problem here is there are very few gunsmiths that would have any idea on what a fair price would be.

He sold a similiar gun in exact same caliber/ make for us$50k and he says this one is in better condition. And Bill as I know if I did not mention this you would come up with a snide comment this is way out of my league and am looking at it for a mate of mine!!! Thanks once again for all the help guys! Cheers Buzz

Buzz:

You need to furnish some more details, ie. side lock ejector, box lock ejector/non ejector;
any engraving? scroll, simple, gold inlay, etc.
all these push the price up.

$50K for a Rigby 450 seems a trifle on the high side or maybe I undersold my box lock non ejector (28" barrels) at $17K

I would think that an altered gun with cut barrels, even if Rigby did the alteration, would be less than the rifle in original condition. Just my $.02 worth...

I am thinking $50K is high and $30 to $35K more realistic.

quote:

Originally posted by John Hipwell:
I can’t shed any light on the Rigby but I do have Capt. F. W. Barrett`s Webley .455 revolver complete with her Army & Navy Co-operative Society presentation case.

Magic, John

On value, agree on need to know action although, from what we can read about Barret, it's almost certainly a sidelock. The $30K figure sounds close to right as bwanamrm suggests.

Regards, Tim

John: what a LOVELY piece and with the case and provenance! I love 455 Webleys but sadly they are almost impossible to find here in the US. Vistually ALL of them have been "shaved" to accept 45 ACP with moon clips or 45 Auto Rim, which is of course stupid as those are much hotter rounds and will eventually loosen the action. Thanks for the great pic!

Forgive me, I am not trying to steal this post, but here is a little more info on Capt. Barrett’s Webley.
This Webley was originally delivered to the “Army & Navy CSL” in 1899, in 1901 she was sold to a Capt Pigon. Judging by the price the leather case was not included. What I would love to find out is why this Webley was presented to Capt Barrett. Could it be that Capt Barrett saved his fellow officers life in some dark corner of the British Empire and Capt Pigon thanked him with this Webley, if only these old pieces could talk.

Works for me, thanks again for posting more pics of a VERY interesting historical piece. jorge

Buzz,

We might be of more help if you could post some pictures of the Rigby.

465H&H

Buzz,

Since you come to the USA once a year for Safari Club? I would make a trip to Champlins. They are near the airport in Oklahoma City.

http://www.champlinarms.com/

As mentioned, there is not much George does not know about doubles, and reloading for them. I was fitted for a 470 Chapuis by their gunsmith JJ. You can get quite a bit of custom fitting for no extra charge when ordering a new rifle.

JJ also makes a four bore if you need a real stopper.

I see they have a few classic 470's in their vault, a couple 475's, and a 505 magazine rifle. Most of them quite a bit newer than your 450 and about half the price. Some expensive ones too!

Andy

Buzz, do you want to use such a historic rifle as a working gun?

Mike

Buzz,

About 14 days, a 60lbs. per side and the trophy fees. Just cant help myself, sorry

Call Geo. Caswell 580 237 - 7388 he knows the market better than about anybody. Besides with him being an Okie you'll leave the conversation happy.

Oh and you are not be seen with anything that doesn't start with a .5, just ask your buddy Mike J.

HBH

John,
what a wondeful revolver! Thanks for sharing!

not a bad place to live
Wroughton Hall 1910

quote:

make a trip to Champlins. They are near the airport in Oklahoma City.

How about Enid, OK north of OKC.

quote:

Posted 30 March 2011 16:38 Hide Post
quote:
make a trip to Champlins. They are near the airport in Oklahoma City.


How about Enid, OK north of OKC.

J. Lane Easter, DVM
DRSS

Lane,

It takes about an hour to drive from Will Rodgers intl airport to Enid. Where I come from, thats "near the airport."

Doug Champlin would never be too far away from an airport! (Most of his aviation collection at Falcon Field in Mesa went to the Fighter Aces Museum).

Oil, guns and warbirds.

While he sold the company years ago, he is a very fine gentleman.

Buzz could fly in, rent a car, and fly out again on the same day.

Andy

Hi Guys

Thanks for the incredible response. I particularily liked the info on the Gentlman involved. I am rushing away for 2 weeks on an ele hunt and hwen I get back I will get all the info on this gun and put some pics on the Forum also! Cheers for now Buzz

Russel best of luck with Marty on you lion!