What is going on here ? Real Rigby ? Checkering quality.

roklok

roklok

Bronze supporter
AH fanatic
Joined
Dec 12, 2023
Messages
680
Reaction score
1,940
Media
11
Hunting reports
Africa
1
USA/Canada
1
Perusing Gunbroker, came across this rifle. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1179133089

Listed for $32,000, the checkering looks quite amatuerish. Overruns, the pattern does not match the points, just can't imagine this checkering quality or lack thereof on a Rigby rifle. Is this a "California Rigby" ? The bolt knob checkering looks also poorly done with overruns.

I would put this checkering one step above laser checkering, and certainly not worthy of a rifle with a $32,000 price tag. Thoughts ? Maybe it was restocked outside of Rigby ?
 
That’s a Pre-California Rigby, later gun from Robert’s shop before the sale and move to California.
 
Looking at the gun, pretty sure it’s a BRNO action, right side of barrel has the London proof stamp that looks like 1995, which was 3 years prior to the move to California. It’s definitely a John Rigby rifle from Paul Roberts’ shop.
 
Roberts had difficulty getting magnum length Mauser actions in the 90’s and started using BRNO. Paul Robert’s’ favorite and personal rifle that was discussed in a recent Rigby podcast, that he has bestowed to Marc Newton was also of that era and a BRNO action. The later guns before the move I’ve seen also had the John Rigby marking milled into the BRNO actions, where earlier ones were blank on the side.
 
Here is another 416, several years earlier and build off a Mauser actions, but if you look to the rear, it appears opened up to squeeze in the larger 416 case…smaller action than the BRNO.

Here is another BRNO based build in 416. It’s proofed in 1990. The issue with this rifle is the stock was cut down about 1-1.25”.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
Here is another 416, several years earlier and build off a Mauser actions, but if you look to the rear, it appears opened up to squeeze in the larger 416 case…smaller action than the BRNO.

Here is another BRNO based build in 416. It’s proofed in 1990. The issue with this rifle is the stock was cut down about 1-1.25”.
Click to expand...
None of these rifles qualify as true and proper Rigby BG’s in the right sense. Something is off on all of them be it front sight, quarter rib, barrel profile, stock lines etc. At least that’s what I can see on my phone simultaneously watching a boooring fuuzeball game..
 
I could be wrong but aren’t all Rigby bolt actions made in Germany by Mauser. I’m referring to current production
 
SStomcat said:
I could be wrong but aren’t all Rigby bolt actions made in Germany by Mauser. I’m referring to current production
Click to expand...
Currently, Rigby barrels and actions are built by Mauser in Germany. Rigby finishes the barrels and actions, stocks them and embellishes them as required. This is exactly how it has worked for most of the last century, except for a couple of relatively short periods.

The rifle referenced by the OP was built by Rigby in London in the 1990s. This is often called the Paul Robert’s era. As has already been mentioned, getting suitable Mauser actions at this point was pretty tough, so some Rigbys made in the 90s used CZ/ Brno actions.

The other period was when the Rigby name was used by an outfit in California. These rifles aren’t Rigbys in my opinion.
 
Yeah from what I can see on the phone screen, many of the checkering lines carry through into the border lines. Seems like a less than stellar job
 
I have a similar Paul Robert’s era rigby 416 with a serial number just 12 away from this one. Brno action.
 
I don't know that Roberts' era of Rigby rifles was ever known for the precision of their their checkering, to the contrary. I think some of the finest checkering and stockmaking for bolt guns has resided here in the US for the last several decades.

If you look back at what a real proper Rigby BGR, like prewar, they were not stunning wood and perfect checkering either. They were tools meant to function flawlessly and accurately, but tools to be used. For precision metal and wood work, then you have to look at recent Rigby production since 2014 timeframe. They are turning out what I think are the finest bolt guns Rigby has ever produced...which is in part because Mauser is also turning out some of the finest actions and barrels they have ever produced. Rigby has never made a bolt action, they always used Mauser up until Roberts ownership during a period where magnum length Mauser actions simply were not available.

Today for a london's best build, I do think some of those rifles are made on Mayfair Engineering actions versus Mauser.

Here is another interesting custom Jeffery Rifle, in 500 Jeffery, also from Paul Roberts shop when he had similar control of Jeffery Rifles. Wonderful rifle, but also, not as meticulous as you would expect in the finish work.

If you want meticulous, precision work, look at the modern Rigby.
 
One more that's been around the classifieds a while, but likely the nicest of the lot. Also from Roberts shop, but more highly embellished and built on what appears to be a magnum length mauser action.

And a London's Best from 2014. This one also on Gunsinternational for some time, but a lovely rifle, built by Rigby after its return to London. I do not know if this was on a Mayfair or Mauser action. I'd hunt the rifling out of this gun on someone else's dime though. Would love to own it. Honestly, I would proudly house either one of these rifles in one of my safes.
 
Not sure but to me it looks like someone tried to tidy up the checking before resale.
“Looks like any easy job I can do that”, kind of thing.
2nd hand gun who knows what’s happened since leaving the shop floor.
 
Not worth half of what they are asking. I would not buy that era of Rigby.
 
Doug3006 said:
Currently, Rigby barrels and actions are built by Mauser in Germany. Rigby finishes the barrels and actions, stocks them and embellishes them as required. This is exactly how it has worked for most of the last century, except for a couple of relatively short periods.

The rifle referenced by the OP was built by Rigby in London in the 1990s. This is often called the Paul Robert’s era. As has already been mentioned, getting suitable Mauser actions at this point was pretty tough, so some Rigbys made in the 90s used CZ/ Brno actions.

The other period was when the Rigby name was used by an outfit in California. These rifles aren’t Rigbys in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Short 50 year periods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1061 more.
Total: 280,519 (members: 1,111, guests: 279,408)

Forum statistics

Threads
68,825
Messages
1,532,364
Members
157,553
Latest member
MildredWai
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS
Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS
having a great season so far
•••
Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS
Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS
having a great season so far
•••
B
Bushcat001
Enjoying hunting in the Kalahari with good FREIND Brendan HTK safaris
•••
Stnelson
Stnelson wrote on Never Been's profile.
I want one of the stocks.
•••
buckstix
buckstix wrote on 450 Dakota's profile.
SENT THIS PM YESTERDAY ..

I will take a set .. I would take more than one set if you have more.

BUCK STIX - [redacted]
•••

Share this page

 
Top