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FrankFarmer
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Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13
      #229102 - 21/04/13 08:37 AM

Rigby & Mauser, Together Again
John Rigby has moved on yet again–this time, it appears, to a long-term home with financial stability and owners who are real gunmakers.

As of March 1, approximately, John Rigby & Co. was acquired by Blaser of Germany, lock, stock and barrel. All connections with its raft of American owners and investors have been severed, and Rigby itself is being moved back to London.

Here’s how it will work: Rigby will become one of the group of gunmaking names owned by Blaser, which includes J.P. Sauer and Mauser. While those companies and their production facilities are located in the town of Isny, in Bavaria, Rigby will have a small custom shop in London.

Blaser is in the process of building a new factory just for Mauser, in the Blaser complex, and there they will begin making genuine Mauser 98 actions. Mauser will supply barreled actions to Rigby in London, where they will be stocked, proofed and finished.

Marc Newton and Patricia Pugh will run the London operation.

Bernhard Knöbel, CEO of Blaser, said last week his company intends to return Rigby to its roots, producing fine hunting rifles in traditional patterns. This will include both bolt-action rifles and, eventually, double rifles. As of right now, there are no plans to produce double shotguns, but given Blaser’s manufacturing capabilities, anything is possible.

“The real Rigby rifles from a hundred years ago were not overly fancy,” Knöbel said, “They were first-quality hunting rifles, made to be used. Mauser supplied the barreled actions, and Rigby finished them to their own high standards. We are going back to that method.”

Marc Newton, the new director of Rigby in London, told me they hope eventually to be able to make both the trademark Rigby/Bissell rising-bite sidelock double rifle, and also the Rigby boxlock rifle based on the long-bar W&C Scott frame with a doll’s head third bite.

“Those were the double rifles that really made Rigby’s reputation,” he said, “and there is real demand for them.”

The Blaser acquisition includes the company’s 82 volumes of original records as well as an assortment of company memorabilia from two centuries of gunmaking. This will be housed at the new operation in London.

Blaser is a relatively young company in gunmaking terms, founded in 1956 to produce a range of innovative new designs in rifles. It has grown to become one of the world’s foremost riflemakers, producing everything from single-shots to doubles to a variety of bolt-actions, as well as a superb over-and-under shotgun, in an ultra-modern facility in Bavaria.

Its subsidiary, Blaser USA, based in San Antonio, Texas, serves the American market, providing full-time gun servicing as well as warehousing and sales. In other words, this is a substantial company with the resources to back its products. Not that they need much backing: Every Blaser product I’ve used has been beautifully made and functionally perfect.

However, Blaser also has long experience with the hand-made, custom side of the rifle business, operating a custom shop at Isny with an extensive stock of fine walnut blanks, engraving capability, and qualified gunmakers who can create unique pieces. So they are not going into the Rigby venture with any illusions about what’s required to make it work.

It will be a while until we see the first new Rigby/Mauser rifle. Although the site is selected and the plans are in place, ground will not be broken for the new factory for a few weeks yet, and it will be some months after completion before the first action emerges from the CNC. However, Blaser has as firm a grasp of manufacturing processes as it does of rifle design, and they are not going to let any grass grow under their feet.

Both Bernhard Knöbel and Marc Newton were reluctant to offer any specific dates–honesty that is refreshing in itself–but it will be measured in months, not years.

It’s difficult to say which is the better news–the acquisition of Rigby and its restoration as a London company, or Mauser once again making real 98 actions.– Terry Wieland


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Even
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: FrankFarmer]
      #229107 - 21/04/13 09:30 AM

That sounds promising. I hope there is enough demand for their product, in a world of Remingtons, Savages, heavy, ugly stocks, and shoddy, cost-cutting designs.

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CWJ1898
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: Even]
      #229109 - 21/04/13 10:29 AM

FrankFarmer,
Beat me to it!! I had just read through my SCI Newsletter and was trudging up the stairs to report the same news. I believe it to be great news especially if a way forward on an M-98 is realized. If a reintroduction of quality "production" M-98s was made, it would very likely sell moderately well if costs were managed- at least well enough to warrant the effort. It strikes me that there is little middle ground concerning today's rifles, either we spend inordinate amounts of money on high grade low output M-98s from the hands of custom makers and select manufacturers; have the great fortune to locate an original Mauser sporter and then are loathe to take the rifle to the field, or are left with the standard factory offerings requiring a good bit of work. Of course this is all conjecture but after almost 70 years one would think the Blaser/Mauser/J.P. Sauer and now Rigby merger would take the step. I believe that if they offered a base model in the 3-4k range and went up cautiously from there they would have a hit on their hands. I also think my Mauser M-03 might be finding a new home if this were the case.

Kindest regards...


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FrankFarmer
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: CWJ1898]
      #229135 - 21/04/13 04:10 PM

Thank you Sir, I agree with you completely. Rigby magazine rifles were used by everyday sportsmen and hunters on leave from the military, the rifles were popular partly because they were less expensive and more readily available than double rifles. Lets hope this new/old partnership can continue this tradition. The current price of a good condition original Rigby Mauser actioned rifle in a popular hunting caliber is on par with some of the newer doubles from Europe.
No mention of who will manufacture the Mauser actions, To the best of my knowledge, www.Pretchtl is supplying the 98 Mauser actions for rifles currently manufactured by Mauser. I wonder if this will continue or if Blaser will make them in house?


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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: FrankFarmer]
      #229140 - 21/04/13 08:52 PM

i noticed the web site has changed,so i guess the few rifles that were built lately will be it for now ,,anyone here have an order for a new one ?....paul

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Yochanan
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: FrankFarmer]
      #229141 - 21/04/13 09:02 PM

These are good news. I hope the actions will be made in house. It will be great if Rigby introduce working grade bolt action rifles and not some cluttered up exhibition pieces.

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.


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Rule303
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: Yochanan]
      #229177 - 22/04/13 07:37 AM

Quote:

These are good news. I hope the actions will be made in house. It will be great if Rigby introduce working grade bolt action rifles and not some cluttered up exhibition pieces.




Totaly agree. It use to be said of Rigby and his cartridges that they were made for Africa. Would be good if they return to those base lines.


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CWJ1898
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: Rule303]
      #229188 - 22/04/13 03:16 PM

FrankFarmer,
At last check you are correct on Prechtl. I was fortunate enough to get a Prechtl Mauser Magnum in .450 Dakota before the Euro/Dollar clash. Perhaps I misread the article but in paragraph 4 Mr. Wieland states that "Blaser is in the process of building a new factory just for Mauser, in the Blaser complex, and there they will begin making genuine Mauser 98 actions." I took this to mean that Mauser will make them "in house" and subsequently send them off to Rigby just like in the good old days! I might be making a giant leap here and please crush my optimism if I am out in left field, but it seems to me if they are building a facility just to make M-98s I simply do not see how Rigby would be the only outlet? I am assuming (hoping) that this news means that Mauser would market an "economy" version for those of us without the patience or perhaps the cash flow to wait on the Rigby version? Your thoughts?

Kindest regards...


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CWJ1898
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: CWJ1898]
      #229189 - 22/04/13 03:28 PM

pjaln,
I called Mauser USA about a year or so ago looking to acquire the Mauser Standard M-98 in 9.3x62 and I was told that they are a custom build and really expensive. I responded with a "Okay, well tell me about it" the gentleman said they were about $20,000 now. I didn't get a second opinion on it so I cannot confirm the price or availability of late. I had a Dave Norin custom build on a M-98 action and very happy with it so I have been told bluntly to take an appetite suppressant on a replacement.


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tophet1
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: CWJ1898]
      #229191 - 22/04/13 04:57 PM

With the proliferation of CNC'd actions in the UK gun trade, the cost of a new Mauser '98 action from Blaser may come down if demand and supply ramps up. Blaser seem to be able to control supply and prices however.

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CWJ1898
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: tophet1]
      #229241 - 23/04/13 09:03 AM

tophet1,
Agreed, I am impressed by Blaser quality although not so much by their rifle designs. I am really hoping this project gets us "back to the future".

Kindest regards...


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deepwoods
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: CWJ1898]
      #229244 - 23/04/13 10:23 AM

Well if they come up with a '98 square bridge in 7x57 , 9.3X62, or 30-06 with a nicely figured, oil finished stock, and open sights of couse in the prewar configuration of a model B or type A for $3500. I'll buy one. They'd have to to throw in the scope mounts though.

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pjaln
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: deepwoods]
      #229247 - 23/04/13 01:51 PM

thats just about where they should be with a plain rifle ,which most were,,they are a simple rifle to make how 25k became the new norm is beyond me...paul

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CWJ1898
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Re: Rigby & Mauser, Together Again from SCI Newsletter 04/13 [Re: pjaln]
      #230008 - 13/05/13 01:04 PM

Gents,
Pardon my impatience... I have attempted to find out a bit more on the Rigby/Mauser situation without success (the Rigby website is under construction). According to Mr. Wieland we will only have to wait "months instead of years" to see completed rifles or at least orders placed- has anyone dug up anything else- thank you,

Kindest regards...


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