NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
08/04/15 07:27 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
A masterpiece, the John Rigby & Co., "Shikar" rifle in .375 H&H Magnum
(Click on the image for a larger image)
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
08/04/15 07:40 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
08/04/15 08:03 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I particularly like the engraving on the floor plate, displaying a tiger attack on the hunter in the howdah n top on any elephant. A native or perhaps the mahout lies in the reeds below, where a maneater emerges from the jungle. A skull of a previous victim may lie beside the head of the mahout.
The floorplate features a leopard emerging from the thick jungle canes and vines.
(My interpretation of the engraving scenes)
Another closer image of the floorplate and trigger guard
I will be posting additional images of the many engraved features of the "Shikar" rifle, with its comprehensive theme.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
08/04/15 10:26 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
What is "Shikar"?
Shikar is Urdu for the hunt and is derived from Persian. A shikari is a hunter. And "to shikar", or "shikars" and "shikarred" is to hunt.
Today we talk about going on a "safari" (swahili for journey) when we hunt in Africa. In the last century when hunting in India, the British sportsman or the Indian noble went on a "shikar".
Image: Sher Shikar tiger hunt in Kerala, in India.
|
|
Igorrock
|
|
(.400 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:07 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Very well made engravings but IMO too much is too much.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:16 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Igorrock,
We all have our preferences. Myself I like plain usuable well made classic rifles. This rifle is a work of art. And the theme is very consistent through out. For me it is not overdone like some continental rifles sometimes are.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:18 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
A Swarovski illuminated reticle scope is mounted to the Magnum length Rigby Double Square Bridge Mauser 98 action with swing off quick detachable mounts.
Note the colour case hardening and colouring on the mounts and bolt shroud.
The engraving theme is consistent throughout the rifle, with the scenes of hunting on a howdah and an attacking tiger, maneaters creeping from the jungles, and the jungle cans and vines engraving patterns covering many parts of the rifle, the bolt, the bridges, the sling barrel band and the front sights.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:20 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
With the scope removed the double square bridge magnum Mauser 98 action can be viewed. The bolt shroud tastefully engraved. The rifle has a Mauser horizontal three position safety as consistent with a rifle fitted with a lower mounted scope.
.375 rounds lie ready for action!
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:26 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
The grip cap is engraved with a tiger with leafy surrounds. A compartment is provided in the grip cao perhaps for a spare moon sight or other accessory.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:28 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
"The leopard's face emerges from the high cane grass of the jungle, ready to spring on the hunter as he passes unaware ..."
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:50 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Front sight with flip up moon sight.
|
|
DarylS
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 12:51 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
It certainly has a LOT of engraving. Nicely 'piano' finished, except for the wood behind the floor plate, beside the front of the trigger guard. It has raised grain and not sanded and filled as-is the rest of the stock. Quite visible in the last photo.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 01:03 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Engraved rear express sights with one standing leaf and two folding leaves, with the last leaf being for 250 yards.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 01:08 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Another view of the action from the side.
Note even the through bolt is engraved with a cane trunk and leaves.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
09/04/15 01:08 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
More to come later.
|
|
Dumprat
|
|
(.300 member)
|
|
09/04/15 11:34 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Ponder cleanning mud and blood out of all that engraving if one were to actually use it. Nice rifle and all but it reeks of safe queen.
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
For those who are rich but not yet a millionaire.
Enjoy.:
http://www.johnrigbyandco.com/the-big-game.html
|
|
tinker
|
|
(.416 member)
|
|
09/04/15 03:39 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I think this one is interesting in it's unique sort of way.
I think it's even cooler that someone ordered it this fashion.
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Engraving is way over the top for me, sorry, best
|
|
375Brno
|
|
(.333 member)
|
|
09/04/15 06:10 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
Engraving is way over the top for me, sorry, best
Yes, have to agree.
Not sure what the price tag would be however I am willing to bet that you could get a good used English double for the same price and if I was in the position to make that choice it would be the the DR every time.
To each his own.
Rick
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
10/04/15 03:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
For those who are rich but not yet a millionaire.
Enjoy.:
http://www.johnrigbyandco.com/the-big-game.html
We've featured the "Big Game" model before on NE. It has been a huge success since its release and buyers have been showing their enthusiasm for the modern John Rigby "Big Game" rifle.
Rigby has kindly supplied NitroExpress.com with a couple of albums of photos of two of their "London Best" rifles. Custom made rifles from their UK workshop.
The "Shikar" rifle is the first I am posting, and represents the quality of rifle and the desires and themes wanted by its commissioner and owner. The comments and desciptions accompanying the photos are wholly my own. While the engraving probably means the rifle won't be used hard and often in the bush - but who knows its new owner's intentions - like many heavily engraved rifles it represents a work of art. Art fo art's sake can be a high ideal. And this one with a wonderfully comprehensive theme. I have used some imagination when describing the 'story' in the engraving. 
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
10/04/15 04:34 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
To put such a rifle in the atmosphere where it would have felt at home ...
Lets Go Shikar !
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
10/04/15 04:35 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Lets Go Shikar !
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
10/04/15 04:35 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Lets Go Shikar !
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
10/04/15 04:36 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Lets Go Shikar !
|
|
Igorrock
|
|
(.400 member)
|
|
11/04/15 05:12 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
IMO the problem is not the quantity of engravings, it's the style of them which IMO is quite modern and, could I say, very brutal. Some patina will (maybe) help....
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Beautiful rifle in its own way, but the engraving is not of that high a quality: look at the "crosses" on the corners where the border cuts went too far:
Honestly the engraving looks like the kind of work you would find on good quality souvenirs found in Eastern bazaars and tourist shops.
Black painted modern scopes will never look right on classically designed and finished rifles in my opinion and EAW-type swing off mounts are debatable for the same reason.
Just personal feelings of course.
|
|
A10ACN
|
|
(.300 member)
|
|
12/04/15 10:06 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I like the engraving but feel it would be better on a double. Would love to see a BL decorated in the same manner and theme. Kudos to the engraver, that deep chisel can't be easy work on a modern hardened magazine action.
|
|
xausa
|
|
(.400 member)
|
|
13/04/15 02:10 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I view the engraving on this rifle with the same degree of awe and admiration I have for a beautiful woman tattooed over her entire body. Of course some may feel that a beautifully proportioned and finished rifle has no more need of embellishment than a beautifully proportioned female form, but I couldn't possibly confirm or deny that proposition.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
13/04/15 02:50 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
The "Shikar" rifle is true to the lines of the classic Rigby rifle.
***
My opinion. Gentlemen, do you agree?
|
|
Shikari
|
|
(.224 member)
|
|
18/06/16 09:52 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
IMHO too ornate to be a shikar rifle, better suited as showpiece in the gun cabinets of the erstwhile Indian princes.
|
|
eagle27
|
|
(.400 member)
|
|
19/06/16 08:16 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I think the word 'garish' is what many are looking for. Obviously very skilled workmanship but in the context of a rifle for field use, a million miles from my plain unadulterated taste.
|
|
Yochanan
|
|
(.375 member)
|
|
19/06/16 09:29 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
First I think Rigby should stick to their propriety cartridges so a 350 Rigby or 416 Rigby would have been more suitable. I don't like the scope mount or the optics.
Classic rifles should have scopes with nicely blued steel tubes and not electronic with buttons cluttering things up.
Engraving on the floorplate, grip cap and recoil bolts would have been enough.
Leathercovered recoil pad would have been nice too - preferably pigskin 
|
|
gryphon
|
|
(.450 member)
|
|
20/06/16 04:46 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
Classic rifles should have scopes with nicely blued steel tubes and not electronic with buttons cluttering things up.
I don`t agree,I believe they should have what the owner personally wants to place on them.
Remember the world was aghast at Lennon when he had his Roller painted psychedelically!
Its what he wanted!
|
|
VonGruff
|
|
(.400 member)
|
|
20/06/16 09:44 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
I think the word 'garish' is what many are looking for. Obviously very skilled workmanship but in the context of a rifle for field use, a million miles from my plain unadulterated taste.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
20/06/16 08:39 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
I think the word 'garish' is what many are looking for. Obviously very skilled workmanship but in the context of a rifle for field use, a million miles from my plain unadulterated taste.
.... and tens of thousands of dollars ....
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
20/06/16 08:46 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Interestingly we recently had a WR on here with "cartoonish" engraving and people were raving about it. Guess it wasn't a "Rigby" ....
People if you don't like it, on these Rigby threads, perhaps don't post. Like I didn't on the WR thread ... which was a really nicely made takedown, but the engraving was catoonish. Keep hearing exactly the same BORING comments from the same people. "Overdone", "Too much" etc. Rifles made and engraved with great skill, made for the customer. Some plain rifle is a completely different beast to a custom engraved rifle well made and exquisitely negraved to a customers order.
Here's an alternative. Can these repeated and pbsessive naysayers please plost some images of their preferably engraved rifles so we can compares and also critique or admire.
|
|
NitroX
|
|
(.700 member)
|
|
20/06/16 09:37 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Classic rifles should have scopes with nicely blued steel tubes and not electronic with buttons cluttering things up.
I don`t agree,I believe they should have what the owner personally wants to place on them.
Agree with JG.
The logic that a "blued scope" belongs on a "classic" rifle but one "with buttons" does not, seems to be saying putting a 1980's scope on a 1900's to 1930's rifle is acceptable but putting a useful 2016 scope is not. 
Personally if I had a modern CUSTOM rifle and put on a scope on the modern custom rifle, I would go for the best scope I could afford for the purposes of hunting and shooting I wanted to use the rifle for.
|
|
|
|
Re: A masterpiece, John Rigby & Co., the "Shikar" rifle
|
|
I think this rifle is stunning....I have seen pics of a pre-war Rodda double rifle engraved in the same "jungle-theme way"...it was also magnificent..
|
