I called Rigby's offices in the US back in 2004 or 2005 to ask about the date of manufacture of a .275 bolt rifle I have. They were very helpful and gave me the year (1932) in about a minute. They must have some records. Of course, date of manufacture is one thing - complete records are another.

On the subject of Rigbys, I have another question: does anyone know what the serial number cut off point was for prewar .350 and .416 Rigby bolt guns, and also whether original magnum mauser actions were used at all on post-war .416s? My understanding is the prewar .416s were all built on original magnum mauser SSB actions with unaltered bolts. Post war guns were built on Brevex actions, opened up FN actions, or Brno actions, with the bolts swept back for scope mounting. (not stating this as fact, just my understanding).

Steve Barnett currently has a Rigby .416 which he says is on an original magnum mauser (not SSB), but the serial number is in the 6000's. The rifle doesn't look prewar to me, so wondering if perhaps they did build a few on original mauser actions post-war.

Grateful if someone can enlighten me......