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NitroXAdministrator
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Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun"
      #297325 - 19/03/17 04:51 AM

Making Rigby's Elephant Gun

https://www.facebook.com/JohnRigbyandCo/videos/1044292525677402/

Should have photos for this emailed to me from some time ago when first released.

Photos added (24 March)

Images of the Special Bespoke "London Best" John Rigby & Co. Mauser 98 actioned "The Elephant Gun", chambered in .450 Rigby.

For your viewing pleasure.

If you can not cope with artistically engraved showpiece rifles, please enjoy threads elsewhere. Thanks.

***

Rigby showcases its exquisite Elephant Gun at Safari Club International Convention

Press Release – 29 January 2017

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. will be showcasing its highly anticipated elephant skin engraved London Best .450 Rigby rifle at next week’s Safari Club International Convention (SCI), which is being held Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 February in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The exquisite hand engraving, which covers all metal work and required more than 2,000 hours meticulous craftsmanship, was undertaken by one of Rigby’s master engravers, Tony Maidment. He revealed that the Elephant Gun features around 100,000 individual skin pores. “This is the work I am most proud of in my 36-year career as an engraver. It was technically the most difficult and most challenging but by far the most rewarding. I am so pleased the rifle is going to a home where it will be cherished and looked after.”

Managing director Marc Newton added: “This long-awaited eye-catching rifle has been a joy to create, a real passion project. Historically, Rigby has always been a trailblazer when it comes to creativity, and this latest rifle has all the hallmarks of the much-loved brand. As with all Rigby guns, this beautiful rifle is designed to be used in the field, not just admired under glass.”

The rifle has attracted a lot of interest from collectors all over the world, and recently sold for an undisclosed amount to an oversees big game hunter.

To view the rifle, visit booth #4543 at SCI.



Click on the image for full sized image.









































--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (24/03/17 08:18 PM)


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Rule303
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297336 - 19/03/17 09:04 AM

I normally do not like a lot of engraving but I do like that. I also note with pleasure that the stock is not garish in the amount of figure it has in it. That is one rifle I do like.

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Wayne59
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: Rule303]
      #297342 - 19/03/17 01:17 PM

I am still drueling over the last one you posted pic's of, but I don't think this one is one that I could fall in love with.

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CarlsenHighway
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: Wayne59]
      #297514 - 22/03/17 08:44 AM

An elephant skin case - OK. Perhaps a patch of elephant skin styled engraving on the floorplate, perhaps. But this seems outside the boundaries of good taste. Even a little weird.

This projects comes from people saying what else can we do, to make a rifle special, but you dont have to do anything, the rifles themselves should be just finely made specimens of a certain type and style, its the associations that make a Rigby special. Adorning the rifles excessively does not make them even more special. Unique yes. But ugly things are unique too.

But then I am not a person who likes engraving on a rifle in general, much less the ones with gold wire and such put into them. I am ambivalent even about case hardened colours. So I am a hard line traditionalist.

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Claydog
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: CarlsenHighway]
      #297517 - 22/03/17 10:37 AM

Gets people talking and draws attention to Rigby so it is all good as far as I am concerned. Also draws attention to the capabilities of the various craftsmen who worked on the rifle. Not really to my tastes but there will be some who will love it and I still enjoyed seeing what can be done.

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gryphon
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: Claydog]
      #297518 - 22/03/17 11:00 AM

Some want magnesium wheels on their cars, some want steel .

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lonewulf
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: gryphon]
      #297519 - 22/03/17 11:22 AM

I'm with the guy from Port Chalmers on this one I'm afraid. Tarting up a Rigby with OTT engraving doesn't make it more attractive to me. It makes it less so. And frankly, I think it's questionable taste at best.

I understand why they want the attention but to my way of thinking it's a bit like putting gold plated door handles on an old Jag. Sure, there's probably a market for it, but is it your target market?

The thing about the old Rigby rifles is that they were, with few exceptions, intended as entirely functional, utterly reliable, sporting rifles - albeit for the very well heeled. They were essentially plain, elegant and very well made and intended to be used.

If it were my company, I'd just be sticking to my knitting rather than branching out into the flamboyant.

Well, that's my opinion anyway.

Edited by lonewulf (22/03/17 11:30 AM)


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gryphon
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: lonewulf]
      #297523 - 22/03/17 12:47 PM

"The thing about the old Rigby rifles is that they were, with few exceptions, intended as entirely functional, utterly reliable, sporting rifles - albeit for the very well heeled. They were essentially plain, elegant and very well made and intended to be used. "

Unless you were a Maharajah!

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DarylS
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: gryphon]
      #297524 - 22/03/17 01:27 PM

I don't like that paticular rifle, but do like some of the others.

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MMBA
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: lonewulf]
      #297525 - 22/03/17 01:28 PM

'is it your target market?' (lonewulf).

That is the essential question for me at least. And if this rifle answers then Rigby is for admirers of metal decoration in my view.

The engraving is astonishing, but vulgar - the rifle has the pox. Yes I am a cranky old fart who will never afford it and the only opinion that matters is that of the buyer and such Rigby must chase or go broke. Fine, I accept that. But even as an advertisement of just what Rigby can do for the buyer I think it misguided - for it is only one thing and not a display of various effects the buyer might like.

Amortise the cost of each workman on this project into the utter reliability and understated elegance of rifles that Rigby is famous for - and what effect on the cost of the new Rigby line around £5-6000? Irrelevant if this rifle is bespoke but core business if a Rigby is just that bit more affordable for those who hunt it. Yes a left hand .275 Rigby is growing in my savings account and dreams.

Looking at books by Dallas engraving was there to trap a film of oil, the wood of perfect grain in the wrist for strength and not so fancy in the butt, for you dont see it when hunting and the dings make for memories - without cringe at despoiling gorgeous wood in thorn country.

Yes I would knock it back. But that is just the view of a dreamy old whinger lol!


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MMBA
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: MMBA]
      #297526 - 22/03/17 01:30 PM

Oh, and Gryphon your quote is perhaps what I should have quoted (but I love a good whinge!)

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lonewulf
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: MMBA]
      #297531 - 22/03/17 01:53 PM

Quote:

'is it your target market?' (lonewulf).

That is the essential question for me at least. And if this rifle answers then Rigby is for admirers of metal decoration in my view.

The engraving is astonishing, but vulgar - the rifle has the pox. Yes I am a cranky old fart who will never afford it and the only opinion that matters is that of the buyer and such Rigby must chase or go broke. Fine, I accept that. But even as an advertisement of just what Rigby can do for the buyer I think it misguided - for it is only one thing and not a display of various effects the buyer might like.

Amortise the cost of each workman on this project into the utter reliability and understated elegance of rifles that Rigby is famous for - and what effect on the cost of the new Rigby line around £5-6000? Irrelevant if this rifle is bespoke but core business if a Rigby is just that bit more affordable for those who hunt it. Yes a left hand .275 Rigby is growing in my savings account and dreams.

Looking at books by Dallas engraving was there to trap a film of oil, the wood of perfect grain in the wrist for strength and not so fancy in the butt, for you dont see it when hunting and the dings make for memories - without cringe at despoiling gorgeous wood in thorn country.

Yes I would knock it back. But that is just the view of a dreamy old whinger lol!






If by that you mean, can I (the lone wooof) afford a new Rigby the answer is .. hell no!

The point I'm struggling to make is this; if you want your rifles to appeal to well bred and well to do gentlemen, (and maybe that isn't the intended market anymore) then I think the use of ostentatious OTT engraving, (at least IMO) in an advert, may be akin to putting a bullet through your own foot.

The Rigby should be understated, not some painted tart, again IMO.

Edited by lonewulf (22/03/17 01:54 PM)


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CarlsenHighway
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: lonewulf]
      #297532 - 22/03/17 02:00 PM

The well to do chap in England or America is unlikely to want ostentatious display. Asia is a different story I think.
But look at me, speculating on what wealthy people want. I fix up my own guns because I am poor.

But, should moeny become no object in my life, I shall spend my time elephant hunting, but it will be with the standard Rigby Big Game rifle, unadorned.

--------------------
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gryphon
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: CarlsenHighway]
      #297533 - 22/03/17 02:15 PM

I had a good look at the video and dont see it as anything other than a working rifle for a wealthy person.

I would buy that if I won the Euro millions,just to win around the camp fire of bullshit ..he who dies with the most toys wins lol.

btw the crocodile rifle posted prev on here is way more out there imo. I`ll have that fucker too!

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HendrikNZ
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: gryphon]
      #297534 - 22/03/17 02:42 PM

Quote:


btw the crocodile rifle posted prev on here is way more out there imo. I`ll have that fucker too!




Lol, good to see nothing has changed! Hahaha


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: gryphon]
      #297535 - 22/03/17 02:43 PM

I don't rush to put up works of art on here anymore because the p###ants can't hold it in. This is an absolute work of art, not some old tattered rifle with the rust scoured off it. It is becoming very tiresome how some can't appreciate what they like, but ignore what they don't. Especially over such a work of art so well done in every way.

Would I buy it? Of course not. I wouldn't sell my house my buy a rifle to hang on the wall. I too want working rifles but I can appreciiate works of art.


It is quite a joke to see people saying "if the company was mine, I would be doing ..." when they have absolutely no ffffing idea. Works of art rifles like this one are made for the big gun show and safari club auctions. Putting some plain jane rifle up - "ho hum, who cares? Lets move on ..." would be the result. Instead of huge attention.

"If the company was mine, I would make ... exact copies of the original vintage Rigby ... " as people keep saying on here ... and what? Sell a rifle for $9000 which costs twice as much to make? And go bankrupt instantly. And maybe sell very few as maybe the majority of the modern market does not like the older design anymore? Or sell them at the current Classic London Best price and sell a dozen in a year, instead of ten or twenty dozen of the new design ....

Yeah right ...

Rigby's success has been huge. Huge attention for the works of art showpieces. Sales of the "Big Game Rifle" model at a multiple of the number they expected to sell. No doubt to be repeated with the newly released Highland Stalker. And the Rigby Rising bite doubel rifle, so many orders they closed the order book until they catch up ...

I think this gunmaking company knows what it is doing ...



Again I question why I bother putting up some of the more unusual examples of great gunmaker skill on here. The usual suspects always can't keep their traps shut ... have a look at the gentlemanky code of conduct expected for any member on here for future behaviour.


I may be a bit harsh above, but am busy and will leave it here. Probably will come back and moderate this post when I cool down. This thread was supposed to be a pleasant discussion on a Work of Art rifle, as an archive of the video and to be displayed photos, but nowadays some never fail to not impress ...

Haven't got time for it now, work to do ...

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (22/03/17 02:54 PM)


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297536 - 22/03/17 02:47 PM

Rigby showcases its exquisite Elephant Gun at Safari Club International Convention

Elephant Gun (14 of 15)

Press Release – 29 January 2017

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. will be showcasing its highly anticipated elephant skin engraved London Best .450 Rigby rifle at next week’s Safari Club International Convention (SCI), which is being held Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 February in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The exquisite hand engraving, which covers all metal work and required more than 2,000 hours meticulous craftsmanship, was undertaken by one of Rigby’s master engravers, Tony Maidment. He revealed that the Elephant Gun features around 100,000 individual skin pores. “This is the work I am most proud of in my 36-year career as an engraver. It was technically the most difficult and most challenging but by far the most rewarding. I am so pleased the rifle is going to a home where it will be cherished and looked after.”

Managing director Marc Newton added: “This long-awaited eye-catching rifle has been a joy to create, a real passion project. Historically, Rigby has always been a trailblazer when it comes to creativity, and this latest rifle has all the hallmarks of the much-loved brand. As with all Rigby guns, this beautiful rifle is designed to be used in the field, not just admired under glass.”

The rifle has attracted a lot of interest from collectors all over the world, and recently sold for an undisclosed amount to an oversees big game hunter.

To view the rifle, visit booth #4543 at SCI.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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lonewulf
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297538 - 22/03/17 03:02 PM



Hmmm... I suspect your idea of 'art' and mine, are at polar opposites.

Each to his own, I guess...


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: lonewulf]
      #297540 - 22/03/17 03:07 PM

Mate, and that's the point.

And ordinary working rifle is not a work of art. It is a functional tool.

A rifle covered in engraving, inlay and tremendously figured wood may still be functional, but a $400,000+ (guess) rifle wll probably never see the African red dust.

And some rifles are in between.

And this company knows EXACTLY what it is doing to be a success.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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Claydog
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297544 - 22/03/17 03:42 PM

Would have to agree. To have Rigbys name where it is now after the California ownership I would imagine the current owners have some idea of what they are doing.

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Igorrock
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: Claydog]
      #297555 - 22/03/17 06:15 PM

I would like this Elephant rifle more if these carvings has been made in wooden stock, not in steel.

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GABE93
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297563 - 22/03/17 06:57 PM

NitroX,

I very much enjoyed seeing the images of this showpiece Rigby. I hope you keep posting images of any such rifles but also the plainer high quality rifles as there is something to learn from all of them.

Rigby and the engraver of the Elephant rifle have achieved a very high level of work. Rigby has to compete with various other makers building similar showpiece rifles and shotguns. The engraving is not to my personal taste but i still would have been proud to have worked on the stock. In the workshop i probably would have teased the crap out of the poor engraver, tapping away cutting all the little dots and lines for so many hours.

Does anyone here know or talk to any really wealthy gun enthusiasts?, so wealthy they can buy multiples of whatever they want. They live in a different world. The person that bought this rifle probably keeps an elephant as a pet. I would also imagine they have similar deluxe rifles from other makers.

NitroX, re the plainer working rifles, they still can be artistic, by selection of exceptional but conservative wood, stock shaping and exceptional quality checkering and other workmanship in the wood and metal.

Regards,
GABE93


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MMBA
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297591 - 23/03/17 10:27 AM

John, I have reviewed the 'gentlemanky' code of conduct and in that spirit withdraw 'the rifle has the pox' - too exuberant it seems.

Art or Artifice? The rifle, and similar ones, are proposed as works of Art and please keep them coming even though the response does not meet your opinion on Art. Discussing Art must be subjective - beauty in the eye of the beholder. Art is not about agreement, I suggest, and the gentlemanky code implies that 'pissant' should not be used on those disagreeing with your taste in 'absolute work(s) of art'. BTW where are others praising the Art in question?

So the engraving is, ummm - not a come on or lure, bait or decoy, but a Talking Point to attract surpassing orders for much plainer working rifles that seems to be Rigby's market. Just how well done is this version of Rigby shows in the cap on rising bite orders. And that is as working rifle as comes I believe. Nobody compared this Rigby to Paso Robles or crapped on its business acumen, but discussed one rifle.

7 Freddies hunted around the lambing paddock but back to work for me too.

I remain, Sir, neither gentlemank nor pissant, but in the same tent celebrating what we all enjoy.


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Marrakai
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: MMBA]
      #297613 - 23/03/17 04:29 PM

My take on the 'elephant rifle' is that they only had to impress a single client, which they did.
They only had to sell it once to get a return, which they did.
They only needed one buyer to meet their asking price, which they got.

Job done!

Can't wait to see what they come up with next.....

And I will add the comment that in my experience at least, highly-engraved rifles like this one are usually a helluva lot more impressive in the hand than they look on a computer screen.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
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Rule303
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Re: Something different - Rigby's "Elephant Gun" [Re: NitroX]
      #297614 - 23/03/17 05:18 PM

Nitrox,

i would not get upset about the comments you see as negative. A successful company, such as Rigby, also take on board these comments and tailor some of their firearms to this market. That is the plain, not the cheap that is.


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