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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

The Queen's Rifle
#219192 - 07/11/12 04:42 AM

In 1943 John Rigby & Co. made exactly one rifle. During the height of the war, Rigby was busy making "machine gun clips." His Majesty King George VI ordered a .275 Rigby for Princess Elizabeth. Rifle number 5747 was completed on July 31, 1943. The rifle weighed 6 lbs 14oz with a 23.5" barrel and a 13 1/4" length of pull with a silver oval bearing her crest.

This year for the SCI Live Auction, we are donating a copy of this historic rifle, with case and accessories. Serial number 5747A will have a 13.5" length of pull. Here are a few pictures of the rifle at various stages of work.

Edited by CptCurl (02/12/12 02:21 AM)

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Sville
.400 member

Reged: 23/03/10
Posts: 1189
Loc: Sweden

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#219193 - 07/11/12 05:09 AM

That wood will be stunnishing. Interesting to see the final result.

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: Sville]
#219197 - 07/11/12 05:31 AM

I'll post more pictures as the rifle progresses.

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VonGruff
.400 member

Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#219200 - 07/11/12 05:57 AM

It would be a real coup if you were able to have a picture spread of Her Majesties rifle with your reproduced version, for us here predominately, but for the new owner it would really be something to add value both historic and in tearms of provenence.

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

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StephenCoker
.300 member

Reged: 01/12/11
Posts: 140
Loc: AR, United States of America

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: VonGruff]
#219202 - 07/11/12 06:07 AM

Now THAT is a Rigby!

--------------------
www.stephencokerandco.com
Uniquely superlative rifles in the Scottish tradition.

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: StephenCoker]
#219208 - 07/11/12 06:50 AM

Thank you Stephen. Now for final stock shaping...

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Mike_Bailey
.400 member

Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#219209 - 07/11/12 07:27 AM

You will probably remember me posting this a long time back !

Oddly enough, 6 years or so ago when I was trying to decide between a Holland, a Purdey or a Westley double .375 I visited Purdeys, they didn´t have any double rifles in stock as they were "away at a gun show" but the young chap left in charge went downstairs and brought up the double they made as a gift to Elizabeth II on her coronation, in . 400 Purdey as I recall, very neat tang aperture and as far as I could tell, unfired, I loved the gold oval, ER (as you would

best, Mike

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Homer
.416 member

Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: Mike_Bailey]
#219240 - 07/11/12 05:27 PM

G'Day Fella's,

Thank You for the images Kent!
Another stunning rifle!!!

A year or two ago, I imported and done the firearm transfer, for a mate/customer of mine.
It was for a WR, "QEII Coronation Rifle", in .375 H&H Mag!
Not sure how may were made to celebrate Liz's coronation but this was one of them.

Doh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: Homer]
#220973 - 06/12/12 12:28 AM

The rifle has just been engraved with period "font," what do you think?

Edited by CptCurl (10/12/12 12:00 AM)

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pjaln
.375 member

Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 708
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#221013 - 06/12/12 10:02 AM

good work kent ...this is the rigby name at its best....paul

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kamilaroi
.400 member

Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: pjaln]
#221034 - 06/12/12 02:36 PM

Whoever did the lettering is a top engraver. BTW should there be a period after "Rigby"?

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Viking338
.333 member

Reged: 11/08/11
Posts: 480
Loc: Queensland Australia

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: kamilaroi]
#221036 - 06/12/12 02:51 PM

I can't wait to see more images as time goes on, beautiful indeed!

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VonGruff
.400 member

Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: Viking338]
#221044 - 06/12/12 05:11 PM

That is beautiful in so many ways but why are my eye's decieving me as to the top line of serial numbers not being in a straight line in the last pic.I am seeing some numbers being above and below the others, in particular the two sevens seem to be higher than the 5, the 4 and the Q or is it just the perspective. Love the font used.

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

Edited by VonGruff (06/12/12 05:15 PM)

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: VonGruff]
#221075 - 07/12/12 05:35 AM

Here is a picture of the ledger entry where H.M. King George VI ordered the original rifle for Princess Elizabeth.

Edited by CptCurl (10/12/12 12:01 AM)

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#221079 - 07/12/12 07:38 AM

The font is the same style as the original. There should not be a period after Rigby.

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DoubleD
.400 member

Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2398
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#221081 - 07/12/12 08:30 AM

Are there pictures of the Original Rifle? Where is the Original Rifle now?

--------------------
DD, Ret.

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: DoubleD]
#221318 - 11/12/12 04:15 AM

There are no known photos of the original rifle. We talked to a gentleman that photographed the rifles that belong to royal family. He did not photograph her Rigby. Subsequently, I have discovered in our day books that in addition to H.M The Queen, The Queen Mother and Prince Charles also have Rigby .275s that have come back for service over the years. The Queen Mother and Prince Charles' rifles were not ordered new. H.M. The Queen told Paul Roberts that her rifle is "at Balmoral, still being used by the boys." We assume she meant Princes Harry and William.

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tophet1
.400 member

Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#221322 - 11/12/12 07:55 AM

(Stir) Now if it was only in 250-3000 it would be perfect ....

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375Brno
.333 member

Reged: 18/10/05
Posts: 354
Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: tophet1]
#221332 - 11/12/12 10:45 AM

I will be in Scotland next year for a month staying within an easy drive of Balmoral with my relations. Maybe I should give them some notice and I can pop in and get a photo of me with the Rigby. Maybe a cuppa and biscuits as well.
Now who could arrange this for me?

Rick

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pjaln
.375 member

Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 708
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: 375Brno]
#222488 - 29/12/12 09:52 AM

kent what happening with this ....paul

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StephenCoker
.300 member

Reged: 01/12/11
Posts: 140
Loc: AR, United States of America

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: pjaln]
#223073 - 07/01/13 02:50 PM

For me, "The Queen's Rifle" defines the Rigby magazine rifle. Trim, svelte, well-balanced...and of course, chambered in .275 Rigby. It's a classic Rigby throughout. Kent graciously allowed me to take a few photos to post of it along with some other pictures while visiting the John Rigby & Co. booth this past weekend at the Dallas Safari Club show.

Edited by CptCurl (10/06/13 09:34 PM)

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John_Rigby_and_Co
.224 member

Reged: 03/07/12
Posts: 28
Loc: London, UK

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: StephenCoker]
#223106 - 08/01/13 07:59 AM

Thanks Stephen! It was nice to meet you in person. I've been swamped the last couple of weeks and haven't had time to post any photos. Here are a few that we took during the DSC Convention.

Edited by CptCurl (10/06/13 09:35 PM)

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gryphon
.450 member

Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: John_Rigby_and_Co]
#223111 - 08/01/13 09:21 AM

I love the "Q" after the numbers is it coincidental or purposeful....... would you cut a "K " if an original was done for William?

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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pjaln
.375 member

Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 708
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: gryphon]
#223131 - 08/01/13 12:57 PM

very nice job and i could see that the bolt knob and handle is bent exactly like the originals ...paul

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albertan
.333 member

Reged: 13/06/06
Posts: 432
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Queen's Rifle [Re: pjaln]
#223146 - 08/01/13 03:17 PM

The rifle is as long as Her Majesty is tall. If she was 5 foot two in her prime, that would be it. Looking at the rifle's dimensions I would have expected a shorter length of pull.

Nice rifle.

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