John Rigby & Co
An exact replica of Jim Corbett's .275 bolt action sporting rifle, no. 2518
25-inch barrel with raised hooded foresight, folding express sights to 500, plain Mauser Oberndorf receiver, bolt with flag safety, the half length figured stock with pistol grip, inlet with silver presentation plaque inscribed Presented To Mr J.G. Corbett By Sir J.P.Hewett K.C.S.I. Lieutenant Governor Of United Provinces In Recognition Of His Having Killed A Man-Eating Tigress At Champawat In 1907, 14 1/2 inch pull, nitro proof, in its full length leather case with makers accesories
7lb. 9oz.

Catalogue Note

The rifle is the last of three exact replica's of Jim Corbett's original .275 Rigby rifle. The serial number of this rifle is two removed from that of the original Corbett rifle, and all of its characteristic features have been duplicated in this rifle, that was originaly delivered in 1908. The silver presentation plaque let in to the stock is an exact copy of that on the original rifle.

Jim Corbett is perhaps the most famous of all of the Hunters and naturalist's in India and is best known for his exploits, hunting man eating tigers and leopard. Born in 1875, the eighth son of a postmaster, he worked as a store keeper, a labour contractor, A Captain in the First World War and he trained soldiers in the art of jungle warfare in the Second World War. He made his mark as a hunter and is best known for his abilitys to track man eaters. Whenever a man eater threatened a village, "Carpet Sahib" was summoned. Moving on foot for days and weeks, often on steep winding trails, Corbett became the saviour of the hill folk of Kumaon and Garthwal.

Jim Corbet could read the jungle signs like an open book, when stalking he would use the wind just as predators do, either to conceal or reveal his presence. He could easily read the sounds of the animals and imitate them to perfection, using his vocal chords to lure an animal. Two man eaters shot by him were corned using this ability. He published many books during his lifetime, all today considered as classics and perhaps the best know and most famous is "Man Eaters of Kumaon", published in 1946. He left India in 1947 and died in Kenya in 1955.

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