Shikari Rifle

Jerome sent me another image of an example of the script on the top of the barrels to share:

RIGBY said:

Jerome sent me another image of an example of the script on the top of the barrels to share:

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Fabulous thanks so much!

Altitude sickness said:

Will , you are probably seeing the influence of Jérôme Lanoue. Rigby brought him over from Verney- Carron to lead their double rifle come back. He most likely brings that French influence to the Rigby rifle.

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Someone else PM's me a while back and said that exact same thing, my eyes picking up the French curves, or lack of, whichever it may be. I believe it could easily prove true, hard to say with only a handful of photographs thus far from all the orders and no physical exemplar to handle. Sounds like guns should be rolling out to eager customers this spring, so should start to see more and more of them on social media and such...so may help I guess.

Expect I will simply need to try and visit in England, which was already on my to-do list, but at a time where maybe, I could see and hold one. Zero chance I would commit to order without it at this juncture. Expect they will prove tremendous weapons in every sense, just have to sort if I will meld with one or not.

Wildwillalaska said:

Someone else PM's me a while back and said that exact same thing, my eyes picking up the French curves, or lack of, whichever it may be. I believe it could easily prove true, hard to say with only a handful of photographs thus far from all the orders and no physical exemplar to handle. Sounds like guns should be rolling out to eager customers this spring, so should start to see more and more of them on social media and such...so may help I guess.

Expect I will simply need to try and visit in England, which was already on my to-do list, but at a time where maybe, I could see and hold one. Zero chance I would commit to order without it at this juncture. Expect they will prove tremendous weapons in every sense, just have to sort if I will meld with one or not.

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Early 20th century grade-3 Rigbys used Webley actions. The top view that Rigby sent earlier is a dead ringer for my circa 1911 Webley-actioned Lang in 280. The fences are a little more prominent and sculpted on the Shirkari than the Webley actions. The engraving on "base" Shikaris is strictly based on early 20th century Webley-actioned Rigbys. I'm hard-pressed to find anything specific on the rifles that sticks out as "French."

Do Rigby make these actions in house or are they sourced elsewhere like the barrelled actions they import from Mauser for their stalking rifles?

Unclear. But it's worth noting that Rigby always bought Mauser actions, so a Mauser-actioned Rigby is every bit a "real" Rigby. They also brought in Webley actions for their grade-3 box locks, just as did nearly every other English maker that offered lower-grade guns. So if they aren't "made" by Rigby that's still in line with how this tyoe of Rigby has always been made, if that makes sense. And no I'm not on Rigby's PR team lol.

RIGBY said:

Jerome sent me another image of an example of the script on the top of the barrels to share:

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It looks great with those floreal engravings, especially on the screw for the toplever but also the dolls head looks great with the flower on it.

I think the damn things are going to be stunning. Jerome has been so gracious with me as I have been learning and thinking. I'm a fan of the brand.

Nick1982 said:

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Beautiful! What year is that one?

1902

Garciamarquez1918 said:

Early 20th century grade-3 Rigbys used Webley actions. The top view that Rigby sent earlier is a dead ringer for my circa 1911 Webley-actioned Lang in 280. The fences are a little more prominent and sculpted on the Shirkari than the Webley actions. The engraving on "base" Shikaris is strictly based on early 20th century Webley-actioned Rigbys. I'm hard-pressed to find anything specific on the rifles that sticks out as "French."

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Spot on . The Shikari is 100% early 20th century English box lock rifle in concept and in final form .

Nick1982 said:

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Could I trouble you to share some more pictures of the side of the action and stock?

Nick1982 said:

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From what i can see, possibly a Webley and Scott A&D action, although I don't see the typical "patent" languge on the top lever. I'd guess W&S may have put this entire double together from start to the finishing work - the Rigby ledger would probably tell you that one way or the other. Rigby would have sold it to the orderer.

tygersman1 said:

From what i can see, possibly a Webley and Scott A&D action, although I don't see the typical "patent" languge on the top lever. I'd guess W&S may have put this entire double together from start to the finishing work - the Rigby ledger would probably tell you that one way or the other. Rigby would have sold it to the orderer.

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Yes it is a Webley & Scott screw grip boxlock action .

Certainly more similarities than differences, but it still has something that is just distracting to me in comparison to Rigby’s old and new. I absolutely am curious about who is building, where and how…but it’s a curiosity solely, not a concern. Rigby is turning out extremely high quality work, from the Mauser barreled actions they import, which I really appreciate barrel contour design over Mauser’s own, down to the additional finish and stock work. I adore Rigby rifles, period. So wherever the actions and barrels are made on these Shikari, I expect they are of the highest quality…but still curious to know and especially since it seems almost void from the information that swirled about the rifles.

Same time I don’t know what parts of the rising bites are made in-house versus other manufacturers. I don’t think Rigby would make their own barrels for just such a small number of guns, but that’s a gut assumption, nothing more.

We need a photo thread of double frame tops. I mean, the end of the day, it’s a view we as owners see often.

I will have to see more of the Shikaris and from differing angles. They may just sadly end up something my bone head doesn’t meld with aesthetically. I have zero doubt they will prove amazing rifles, with wonderful finish and gorgeous stocks, figured wood polished to fine mirror like sheen…but it’s that rear part of the frame that kept pulling my eye, and the top view only more so. They are sturdy looking…chunky in some areas, even compared to its predecessor. But, sturdiness can prove a wonderful thing as well…like some beautiful Octoberfest beer server that can also carry 27 giant mugs of beer at a time. Gorgeously sturdy…maybe that’s the thing.

I guess for me, at the risk of offending as I absolutely do not seek to, I guess I may have expected more for elegant lines and shapes in that area of the frame. There is so much that makers have melded into boxlocks over the last dozen decades, and Rigby does all these off the wall, one off builds like elephant skinned bolt and double rifle…that maybe I simply had unfairly unrealistic expectations. And that may just be me, getting my mind wrapped around the design. And maybe getting myself too amped up at the idea of having one, hopefully holding one at SCI and ordering, which is likely why I’m struggling to the extent I am.

This is a different rifle than the one shown above, but it's a Webley-actioned Rigby. The Webley actions don't have distinct, well-defined fences like more expensive guns of their time and the current Shikari.

It looks nice and streamlined from above but lacks something from the side. My understanding is that this was done because it was a less complex shape and therefore less expensive to make. I much prefer the more sculpted fences of the current Shikari.

Don't get me wrong, if anybody has a Webley Rigby they'd like to give me, especially in 350 #2, I'll gladly accept it!

I think the new Rigby Shikari action is heavier through the shoulders for a very specific reason. The old Rigby boxlocks had Webley & Scott actions like the screw grip shown on the rifle in this thread or the later W&S PHV-1 action. Both have a third fastener in the action. The new Shikari rifles have the spade type rib extension but do not have a third fastener lock into the rib extension . I think the heavier shoulder act like a bolster to stiffen up the rifle . Be interested in Rigby’s thoughts . Irrespective it is a super strong action .

RIGBY said:

Could I trouble you to share some more pictures of the side of the action and stock?

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