RETURN OF THE RISING BITE

In 1879, John Rigby and Thomas Bissell were issued British Patent Number 1144 for what became known as the ‘rising bite’ locking system. While always very desirable, it was also expensive to make. Production ceased in the 1920s and while many gunmakers have fantasized about making ‘rising bites’ – Butch Searcy has done it.

The project began a year ago when Dr. Roger Sanger of Monterey, California loaned Butch a ‘rising bite’ from a pair made by Rigby in 1903. That gun has now been reverse-engineered and the prototype rifle (shown below) made its debut at the 2010 SCI Convention in Reno, Nevada. That rifle is chambered for the .470 NE round but will be retained by Butch to serve as the ‘pattern’ for future production. Work is underway on the first rifle to be offered for sale and it will be chambered for the .450 NE.

Some obvious questions have already been raised; will you make a shotgun, can you duplicate the original engraving patterns and will you duplicate the ‘step’ from the original sidelock? The answer to all three is “yes.” Butch makes custom rifles for dangerous game hunting. If a client simply ‘must have’ something, Butch will try to satisfy that wish.

Click on image above for larger picture

Stock-

Caliber-

English Walnut and Turkish Walnut

.375 H&H Flanged

Leather covered recoil Pad

.450 3 ¼” Nitro Express

Action-

.450-400-3”

Rigby Bissel Rising Bite Sidelock System

.470 Nitro Express

Double Purdey Bolting

.500 Nitro Express 3" and 3 1/4 

Stainless coin finish and Color Cased Chromoly

Barrels-

Double Trigger

Monobloc Construction : Chopper lump barrels available at additional cost of $10,000.00

Non-Automatic Safety

Quarter Rib w/one Fixed Rear Sight

Ejectors

Caterpillar Front Sight

 

24 to 26 Inch Barrels

Prices

Price of Rifle

$45,000 

Rigby style action and engraving

$65,000
Oak & Leather Display Case $2,500

Deposit

30%  of Rifle Price

Deposits are considered as a contractual agreement and are non-refundable.

mailto:searcy@ccis.com