The Rigby .275 n°1 rifle is the epitome of the light rifle perfectly suited to the pursuit of African plains game as well as to our European driven hunt.
The 7x57 Mauser, although dating from 1893, is one of the few rounds that have been offered without interruption by the larger cartridge firms on the two sides of the Atlantic.
The mythical success of sportsmen like "Karamojo" WDM Bell who shot 800 elephants with its .275 using DWM 173 grains solids or Major Edward James, famous for having put an end to the attacks of man-eating tiger of Kumaon, spot a light on the remarkable performances and terminal ballistic efficiency of that old caliber, superbly suitable for modern hunting, especially when using heavy bullets.
The results on game are often better than those produced by modern ammunition advertised with flattering performance ... at least on paper!
The renewed interest in this kind of rifle and growing demand from customers, have led us to review a "standard" established more than a century ago by the famous Rigby firm.
Being lucky in having at the rack some original n°1 .275 Rigby rifles, but with a special taste for the very first model produced, we decided to use an Original Mauser mod.1896 action made at Oberndorf in 1899 for the 1894 Swedish rifle.
That action has been fully blue printed before being carefully converted to cock on opening and receive a new traditional Oberndorf bolt lever.
The 24" barrel bears the profile of the first models and carries a long five leaves express rear sight taken from a type "A" of the same caliber and fully restored. Front sight bead and its base remain purely DORLEAC and the front swivel holder soldered under the barrel is, like the rear one, of British standard.
This rifle being not intended to be equipped with a scope, a fully machined Rigby style diopter completes the metallic sight line.
The stock follows the simple shape of .275 n°. 1 while modernizing it with less drop and a straighter comb; however it retains the ball shaped grip and the abbreviated forend of the original. Indeed, the chosen walnut is of better quality than the ones used by the old English firm and the smoothness of the caliber allowed us to select a blank displaying a lot of figures.
Lastly, the checkered steel butt plate hold an old Parker oiler, the leather-trimmed trap preventing any unwanted noise.
The weapon bears no ornaments except hand engraved markings and serial number and, for the finish, we used a traditional slow rust bluing that was very slightly weathered with nitre blue for the extractor blade, bolt stop ejector box and screws.
Only the hand-stippled trigger specially constructed on the basis of a single stage ERA mechanism was bone and charcoal hardened in color.
Of course the rifle has been carefully regulated at the range with RWS 173 grains and it delivers exceptional accuracy.
Hope you will enjoy the photos and will be pleased to read your comments.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com

At the range, regulating the rifle in the white

Markings

Newly machined Rigby style diopter

Completed rifle