Rigby Crecent- Real or Fake?

[Grumpy]

I expect that there were Belgian guns with dipped plate sidelocks - most early English hammerless sidelocks had dipped plates although rather different than the Rigby style. The Spanish didn`t have much of an export trade in shotguns prior to WWII.
By the way, Rigby shotguns of the 1970s/1980s ( when they were owned by David Marx ) were built by Pedro Arrizabalaga in Spain.

[herb]

Thanks Grumpy.

I think many English gunmakers are going the Spanish route to cut costs. Even the current William Evans has a model made by Grulla.

[Grumpy]

There are plenty of guns carrying English gunmakers names that are actually made in Italy, Spain or Turkey. Spain loses out to Italy because of the lack of good quality O/Us at a reasonable price - there is only the Kemen.
Back in the `70s and `80s however it was very unusual.

[TwoRivers]

Just one look at the firing pins should be enough to convince anyone that this gun originally was a five-dollar special.
But, there's one born every minute, and one of them obviously had $5,900 he did not know what better do do with. Sad in a way, hilariuos in another.

[Grumpy]

lol. Yup, a couple of chopped-off four inch nails masquerading as strikers.

[Kittu]

I agree with our respected senior member tworivers as he can tell just seeing firing pins its a fake.As one of our senior fellow pointed that it can be forged in india and exported.It can be a realty.peoples who knows about firearms imported to india and in what shape.Matter of of fact he also knew indians love engravings thanks

[Hammerhead]

In my understanding the gun is gutted with cheap/fake parts but some parts of the gun looks genuine. Some one find a cheap solution to an expensive problem - Hard to Say unless some one got their hands on the gun.

[TC]

What a lovely gun... I would buy it for 59 dollars... who added those zeros !!

Good observation Bowman... Kudos.

Was never into shotguns but can still say the stock and forepart are far from anything I have seen on any firearm with a pedigree. The color case hardened frame scared me. No point commenting on the markings.

TC

[Grumpy]

Hammerhead, the gun has not had fake parts fitted but has had a load of fake stamps applied.
The case hardening colours are not remarkable and are typical of several US manufacturers in the late 19th century/earlier 20th century. British guns tended/tend towards more even colour coverage, primarily dark blue surrounded by brown/beige.
Doug Turnbull used to offer colour case hardening in various styles/colours to suit the gun being built/restored as appropriate.

[Bespoke]

I'll second Grumpy. I visited Liege school of gunsmithing and saw similar shotguns with dipped edge lockplates.The Arrizabalaga guns made for Rigby were marked and proofed in spain.This gun is absolutely Grotesque.

Best,
Bespoke