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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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Charls
.275 member


Reged: 05/05/05
Posts: 75
Loc: South Africa
Rigby records
      #144092 - 21/10/09 10:50 PM

I have a Rigby double rifle no 16060 and was wondering who has the original records? The case has a really interesting AA scrolled with a crown above it. Someone has suggested that it possibly belonged to 'royalty'.
Thanks,
Charls

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400NitroExpress
.400 member


Reged: 26/11/03
Posts: 1154
Loc: Lone Star State
Re: Rigby records [Re: Charls]
      #144103 - 22/10/09 02:52 AM

Last I heard they were in storage in Arizona.

--------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

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peter
removed


Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Rigby records [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #144109 - 22/10/09 03:45 AM

the original books are in the care of Mr. Gibson living in the states.

could you please show a few pictures of your rifle.

best regards

peter

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400NitroExpress
.400 member


Reged: 26/11/03
Posts: 1154
Loc: Lone Star State
Re: Rigby records [Re: peter]
      #144111 - 22/10/09 05:47 AM

That's true.

From the September, 2009 "Gun Trade News":

Quote:

"Mr. Gibson decided to offload his investment in the brand in 2001 as his loan note had not been satisfied, selling the rights to the Rigby name to a new investor, Marc Halcon, though it is understood Mr. Gibson retained the company records, now believed to be in storage in Arizona."



To my knowledge, there's been no access to the records since the sale in 1997.

--------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

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Charls
.275 member


Reged: 05/05/05
Posts: 75
Loc: South Africa
Re: Rigby records [Re: 400NitroExpress]
      #144126 - 22/10/09 10:17 PM

Thanks All,
I do have some nice pictures incl. of the scope thats numbered to the rifle! However, I battle with the posting of pics. If I can mail them to someone to post for me?
Thanks,
Charls

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: Rigby records [Re: Charls]
      #144127 - 22/10/09 11:25 PM

My understanding was that Paul Roberts kept a copy (J.Roberts and Son/W.J.Jefferey) - maybe try him?

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peter
removed


Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Rigby records [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #144175 - 23/10/09 08:40 AM

so a few pictures will follow now and may i say that charl has a true gem here.

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mckinney
.400 member


Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: Rigby records [Re: peter]
      #144184 - 23/10/09 10:49 AM

I called Rigby's offices in the US back in 2004 or 2005 to ask about the date of manufacture of a .275 bolt rifle I have. They were very helpful and gave me the year (1932) in about a minute. They must have some records. Of course, date of manufacture is one thing - complete records are another.

On the subject of Rigbys, I have another question: does anyone know what the serial number cut off point was for prewar .350 and .416 Rigby bolt guns, and also whether original magnum mauser actions were used at all on post-war .416s? My understanding is the prewar .416s were all built on original magnum mauser SSB actions with unaltered bolts. Post war guns were built on Brevex actions, opened up FN actions, or Brno actions, with the bolts swept back for scope mounting. (not stating this as fact, just my understanding).

Steve Barnett currently has a Rigby .416 which he says is on an original magnum mauser (not SSB), but the serial number is in the 6000's. The rifle doesn't look prewar to me, so wondering if perhaps they did build a few on original mauser actions post-war.

Grateful if someone can enlighten me......

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Rigby records [Re: mckinney]
      #144186 - 23/10/09 11:05 AM


Mckinney

One thing to factor in with English guns is how the gunmakers numbered the guns.

ie Some numbered them when started, some when proofed, some at other times. So guns might have been started but not finished for quite a while and so an early serial number may not have hit the market till post 1920.

I have seen this on a few DR's / Shotguns and when checked, the records show this.

And then of course you had customers who ordered guns but died during the war !!!!

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Huvius
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3556
Loc: Colorado
Re: Rigby records [Re: 500Nitro]
      #144187 - 23/10/09 11:33 AM

That gun does look post war - especially the bolt handle. Not to say the bolt couldn't have been changed in the interim.
The Rigby records which are reproduced in Speeds Mauser book show many 416's with Mauser serial numbers from years prior to the Rigby made/sold dates. One was made in 1929 with an action from 1912. There is also a Rigby chambered in 505 Gibbs from 1924 on an action made in 1901!

I suspect that if you owned a magnum Mauser action or complete rifle post war (or pre war for that matter), then Rigby would have been happy to build a 416 on it for you.
I also suspect that if Steve Barnett had solid info placing this rifle pre war, then he would be asking much more than he is...

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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mckinney
.400 member


Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: Rigby records [Re: Huvius]
      #144194 - 23/10/09 01:05 PM

Thanks to you and .500Nitro and agree particularly with your last comment, although I have seen George Caswell offer a post war .416 in the high teens (but it was a Brevex in very high condition with nicely figured lighter colored wood).

FYI, the serial no of my .275 is 5448, versus 6000 something on the Barnett gun. It has a swept back bolt handle also, which looks to be original, unless the stock was also altered to accommodate it.

I recalled also that the prewar .416s had 26 inch bbls that were very thick near the action with a taper about midway to the muzzle. Very attractive, those guns.

All things considered, I don't think one would hurt himself by buying the Barnett .416 Still a London gun on an original magnum action and looks to be a fine piece.

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armbar
.300 member


Reged: 25/05/05
Posts: 201
Loc: So Cal USA
Re: Rigby records [Re: mckinney]
      #144197 - 23/10/09 01:17 PM

Mckinney,

I emailed Paul Roberts (http://www.jroberts-gunmakers.co.uk/) with the serial # of my DR and he got back to me promptly with all of the info that he had on it.

I promised him a pint when I next visited London. I haven't been back since. I'm sure he forgot about my promise as it has been several years...but I haven't! He'll get it sooner or later.

Armbar.

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mckinney
.400 member


Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: Rigby records [Re: armbar]
      #144199 - 23/10/09 01:29 PM

Armbar

Thanks, very good to know. I have 3 Rigbys (no doubles unfortunately) and would like to know if there is any history on them. I will email Paul and see if he has anything. I may be in London later in the year and, if so, would love to discuss English guns over a few pints of Guinness.

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armbar
.300 member


Reged: 25/05/05
Posts: 201
Loc: So Cal USA
Re: Rigby records [Re: mckinney]
      #144212 - 23/10/09 02:45 PM

Mckinney,

Post pictures! Everyone loves them.

Armbar.

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Charls
.275 member


Reged: 05/05/05
Posts: 75
Loc: South Africa
Re: Rigby records [Re: peter]
      #144270 - 24/10/09 01:48 AM

Thanks for posting the pics, Peter.
For those who are interested: caliber 577/500 (I have 5 boxes original ammo), rifle is cased with space for the scope, there are 2 ivory bottles 1 with extra front sights and one with extra firing pins and springs, rifle is in original condition except for reblackening of the barrels, etc and the installation of a Silvers pad- although this rifle was to early for the pad, it had one on that had perished that I replaced. Bores excellent.
Hopefully I will use it on Impala next season.
Regards,
Charls

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mckinney
.400 member


Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: Rigby records [Re: armbar]
      #144861 - 31/10/09 02:37 PM

Armbar

I posted some photos in the Mauser discussion forum under a new thread called "rigby photos"

Cheers
McKinney

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AkMike
.416 member


Reged: 19/11/05
Posts: 2576
Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
Re: Rigby records [Re: Charls]
      #144871 - 31/10/09 03:52 PM

Charls,
Is this the 577/500 magnum 3 1/8" ? I've got an A Henry in this caliber also.. PM me if you've got some NFB loads..
Graeme Wright's new book, Shooting the British DR doesn't list much for this one.
Thanks

--------------------
"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; you may know that your society is doomed." Ayn Rand

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Charls
.275 member


Reged: 05/05/05
Posts: 75
Loc: South Africa
Re: Rigby records [Re: AkMike]
      #145097 - 03/11/09 06:22 PM

Hi Mike,
No, this is a 577/500 no 2 2 3/8" blackpowder cartridge. I have seen a number of rifles in this caliber and have a Hughes Cape gun with one barrel 12g, the other the same as the Rigby.
Regards,
Charls

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AkMike
.416 member


Reged: 19/11/05
Posts: 2576
Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
Re: Rigby records [Re: Charls]
      #145147 - 04/11/09 03:07 PM

Thanks anyway!

--------------------
"When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; you may know that your society is doomed." Ayn Rand

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