| MopaneMike |
| (.300 member) |
| 18/01/06 05:08 AM |
Rigby gone tits-up?
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Have any of you heard the same?
| iwantadouble |
| (.300 member) |
| 18/01/06 06:11 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Didn't that happen when Rigby moved to American soil? As far as completely gone, no I haven't heard that. Makes for an interesting rumour, though.
| shakari |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/01/06 06:37 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Paul Roberts sold the Rigby tradename to the US a few years ago but he continued to make rifles from the same Londom premises under the name of (I think) Paul Roberts of Rigby.
To the best of my knowledge, he's still doing so...... He had a huge and very faithful client base and I'd be pretty astounded if he's gone out of business......
| MopaneMike |
| (.300 member) |
| 18/01/06 08:51 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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(quote)
...... He had a huge and very faithful client base and I'd be pretty astounded if he's gone out of business......
Ok......
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 18/01/06 11:03 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Any rumours of firearm-manufacturers going bust is always worrying, but surely we're talking about the California operation here.
It was always on shaky ground IMHO, 'cause its pretty hard to get silk-purse prices for a sows ear these days, just by stamping Louis Vouton on it somewhere!
Nevertheless, let's hope the rumours are false.
| 400NitroExpress |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/01/06 11:16 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Paul Roberts is still active, but has nothing to do with Rigby. He is the "Son" in J. Roberts & Son, the gunmaking firm his father founded. J. Roberts & Son acquired John Rigby & Co. in 1984. Paul operated Rigby until 1997, when he sold it to the current US owner. In 2000, J. Roberts & Son bought the license to use the W. J. Jeffery & Co. name, also owned by an American, and is currently making double and magazine rifles under that name.
I imagine that the rumour has to do with California Rigby, not J. Roberts & Son, or Paul. The "Mexican" Rigbys have never done well, and I'm surprised that they're still operating. It's common knowledge in the trade that they're in trouble.
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| iwantadouble |
| (.300 member) |
| 18/01/06 11:30 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Its interesting to speculate the chance of Rigby ending back on the right side of the pond that it should have never crossed in the first place.
On the other hand, for that to happen, Rigby America must close its doors, which as stated above, is disheartening that a maker shuts down, even if they are overpriced, renamed German actions with PacNor barrels.
Then, someone with an honest intent of building quality firearms must pick the name up for an astronomical price tag, move lock, stock, and barrels back to England, setup shop and re-aquaint the public of the Rigby name that was slightly blemished by the current owner.
I am American, and patriotism aside, some names just don't belong in America, Rigby happens to be one of those names.
| shakari |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/01/06 04:35 PM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Well I'm glad to hear that it's not the original...... I've always loved the rifles Paul makes whatever name he puts on them.
I've never seen one of the American rifles in the flesh so don't know how good they are.
| BFaucett |
| (.333 member) |
| 19/01/06 04:23 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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In reply to:
In 2000, J. Roberts & Son bought the license to use the W. J. Jeffery & Co. name, also owned by an American, and is currently making double and magazine rifles under that name.
Just FYI, their web site:
http://www.wjjeffery.co.uk/
-Bob F.
| MopaneMike |
| (.300 member) |
| 19/01/06 11:06 AM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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Dang it Shakari!.. I was just getting ready to make a wee lil wager with you
| Oldsarge |
| (.300 member) |
| 19/01/06 01:17 PM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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The rifles currently labeled "Rigby" are made by a company that was originally named Rogue River. Their reputation among Californians isn't good, though they have always managed to treat Boddington very well. I personally wouldn't do business with them because I know a former employee or two that I trust completely and what they have to say isn't pretty. You want a good double rifle, see Butch Searcy. You want a good bolt gun, see Dakota. You want a good British rifle, see Paul Roberts.
| shakari |
| (.400 member) |
| 19/01/06 05:03 PM |
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Re: Rigby gone tits-up?
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If I wanted to buy a really good quality double I'd go straight to Paul Roberts as my first choice......