Why is it that when it comes to the big British Gun Makers, Rigby are the only brand that offers "affordable" models?

WAB said:

Holland and Holland have been down that path multiple times. Rigby is actually following them, although Marc seems to be making a much better go of it.

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You are correct and it's never really "worked" for Holland. It won’t shock me if they make another go of it given the success Rigby is seeing.

That said, I’m personally out on Rigby’s current production stuff in their opening price points. Nothing against Marc but I’ll opt original pieces made when there was still a Rigby at the helm.

Mtn_Infantry said:

You are correct and it's never really "worked" for Holland. It won’t shock me if they make another go of it given the success Rigby is seeing.

That said, I’m personally out on Rigby’s current production stuff in their opening price points. Nothing against Marc but I’ll opt original pieces made when there was still a Rigby at the helm.

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I understand that. I bought my Highland Stalker at the old pricing and feel I got great value for money. While I would really struggle to pay $15k+ for one now, I wouldn’t sell mine for that, so I guess I’m somewhat hypocritical.

I really wanted a London Best grade gun but simply could not justify the cost. I bought a vintage best grade Westley Richards droplock that to date has far exceeded my expectations.

Purdey, Holland & Holland, Westley Richards - Rolls Royce. Rigby - BMW, Mercedes, Rolls Royce options. Rigby is aiming their base models at middle-class aspirants. Rolls Royce is not about such folk. I think it's very good strategy nonetheless that the middle is not the only demographic Rigby is aiming at. The middle-class is doing a disappearing act here in the 21st. Being a demographic that saw their most meteoric rise under the limited-engagement set of conditions prevailing following WWII, their days as the primary economic driver are ending.

And Rigby has Mauser, whereas the rest do not. So the rest are producing their own actions at a vastly lower economy of scale than Rigby/Mauser. London Best keeps the company also in the higher end of things…. It’s a pretty smart move by Marc.

I cannot accept the rationale for markup except for brand prestige. Even the Thomas/Michael Miedler NEW production Mannlicher with original action and rotary magazine runs 6-7000 euros and it us much more intricate, precise and difficult to manufacture than a standard Mauser 98 type action.

I am glad there are craftsmen that can do good work, but sometimes we go from the sublime to the ridiculous.

coreydb said:

So you like Scottish rifles and shotguns too?

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PCC600 said:

And don’t forget MacNaughton - Dickson’s great competitor .

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Fortunately, it is possible to own Golden Age guns from the UK at significant discounts over a new order. To my eye. perhaps the most elegant is a MacNaughton. This is a very basic 12 bore game gun that has taken hundreds of pheasants while under my stewardship.




Would that anyone could build something equally svelte like it today. To my mind the only thing coming close would be one of Baily Bradshaw's long and lean single shots which are a bargain with respect to their craftsmanship. This one is my 7x65R.



And to yank this digression back on topic, I purchased my HS (.275) as they were first released to their US distributers. I am not sure I would have purchased it at the current price, but like @WAB, I would not part with it at that price.

In fairness, the rifle is not without a couple of issues. The HS leaves London with too long of a stock for average shooters (I am 5'11). Unless one has a neck like a gerenuk, it makes using a modern 30mm scope something of challenge. Rather than replace the factory pad, I use a 1" Swaro Z51 which has enough scope tube length to allow proper eye relief and full field of view.

The rifle, in .275, is also heavier than it needs to be. My Al Lind 7x57 weighs over a full pound less. The issue, to the extent it is one, is the HS barrel is a standard contour for all calibers (one of the reasons it can be offered at that price point). Thus the 9.3 weighs less than the .275 (bigger hole). I would guess that the 30-06 has about the perfect weight to relative chambering. That said, the .275 is no boat anchor to carry around, and the weight contributes to accurate shot placement.

Offering models that are aspirational yet obtainable make the Rigby experience available to a much larger community of dedicated enthusiasts.

The Big Game and Highland Stalker have already fundamentally disrupted the conventional London gun trade and further disruption is coming soon! Unfortunately, I cant say much more at this time...

Red Leg said:

Fortunately, it is possible to own Golden Age guns from the UK at significant discounts over a new order. To my eye. perhaps the most elegant is a MacNaughton. This is a very basic 12 bore game gun that has taken hundreds of pheasants while under my stewardship.

View attachment 779805
View attachment 779806

Would that anyone could build something equally svelte like it today. To my mind the only thing coming close would be one of Baily Bradshaw's long and lean single shots which are a bargain with respect to their craftsmanship. This one is my 7x65R.

View attachment 779807

And to yank this digression back on topic, I purchased my HS (.275) as they were first released to their US distributers. I am not sure I would have purchased it at the current price, but like @WAB, I would not part with it at that price.

In fairness, the rifle is not without a couple of issues. The HS leaves London with too long of a stock for average shooters (I am 5'11). Unless one has a neck like a gerenuk, it makes using a modern 30mm scope something of challenge. Rather than replace the factory pad, I use a 1" Swaro Z51 which has enough scope tube length to allow proper eye relief and full field of view.

The rifle, in .275, is also heavier than it needs to be. My Al Lind 7x57 weighs over a full pound less. The issue, to the extent it is one, is the HS barrel is a standard contour for all calibers (one of the reasons it can be offered at that price point). Thus the 9.3 weighs less than the .275 (bigger hole). I would guess that the 30-06 has about the perfect weight to relative chambering. That said, the .275 is no boat anchor to carry around, and the weight contributes to accurate shot placement.

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I wonder where one could obtain one of those shell bags?

woodsrunner said:

Purdey, Holland & Holland, Westley Richards - Rolls Royce. Rigby - BMW, Mercedes, Rolls Royce options. Rigby is aiming their base models at middle-class aspirants. Rolls Royce is not about such folk. I think it's very good strategy nonetheless that the middle is not the only demographic Rigby is aiming at. The middle-class is doing a disappearing act here in the 21st. Being a demographic that saw their most meteoric rise under the limited-engagement set of conditions prevailing following WWII, their days as the primary economic driver are ending.

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Based on income, the US middle class has gone from 61% of the population in 1971 to 51% in 2023. The upper class grew from 11% to 19% during this same period. The fly in the ointment is that the cost of living has outpaced wage growth. So, the lower ranks of the upper class don’t really feel wealthy and spend accordingly. At the end of the day, so long as there’s a demand for the artwork crafted by Westley, H&H, Purdey and the like, and they can meet that demand, and turn a profit, they’ll be fine.

Doug3006 said:

Based on income, the US middle class has gone from 61% of the population in 1971 to 51% in 2023. The upper class grew from 11% to 19% during this same period. The fly in the ointment is that the cost of living has outpaced wage growth. So, the lower ranks of the upper class don’t really feel wealthy and spend accordingly. At the end of the day, so long as there’s a demand for the artwork crafted by Westley, H&H, Purdey and the like, and they can meet that demand, and turn a profit, they’ll be fine.

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The American market is Purdey’s biggest, if I heard them correctly. But they do a very significant business with very wealthy European and middle eastern clients as well.

Northern Shooter said:

Are Rigby the only brand in this class that are trying to appeal to the hunters that aspire to own "London best" rifles with more entry level pricing?

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Actually the "London Best" line of Rigby bolt actions start from $52K which is not entry level pricing.

Highland Stalker and Big Game are the entry level pricing rifles, but are not "London Best".

Tanks said:

Actually the "London Best" line of Rigby bolt actions start from $52K which is not entry level pricing.

Highland Stalker and Big Game are the entry level pricing rifles, but are not "London Best".

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I think Northern thought “London Best” is a broad adjective of sorts rather than an actual line of upper end guns Rigby makes.

Tanks said:

Actually the "London Best" line of Rigby bolt actions start from $52K which is not entry level pricing.

Highland Stalker and Big Game are the entry level pricing rifles, but are not "London Best".

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I concur the Big Game and Highlander Stalkers while fine rifles are not even remotely equivalent to a London Best grade . Having said that the Rigby “Best” rifle is far cheaper than a Purdey bolt action which runs at £140,000 !

Package deals are sometimes a bargain. Here's three Holland & Holland for only €1M. What a deal, eh?


But look at what's in the boot!

Ontario Hunter said:

Package deals are sometimes a bargain. Here's three Holland & Holland for only €1M. What a deal, eh?

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/british/holland-holland-one-worlds-first-ps1-million-range-rover

But look at what's in the boot!
View attachment 779939

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And they had to pick a Range Rover for this. Now, if they had picked a fully loaded G-Wagon at least there would have been a decent value in the package.

PCC600 said:

I concur the Big Game and Highlander Stalkers while fine rifles are not even remotely equivalent to a London Best grade . Having said that the Rigby “Best” rifle is far cheaper than a Purdey bolt action which runs at £140,000 !

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Last I checked the new Purdey bolt gun was 60k USD, used market 35-40k

Tanks said:

And they had to pick a Range Rover for this. Now, if they had picked a fully loaded G-Wagon at least there would have been a decent value in the package.

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Yep. English car = no room in the trunk for guns. Because it's full of tools needed to keep the thing on the road. Gotta keep the credit card handy too. Parts are premium ... price anyway. English guns may also be ridiculously overpriced but at least they tend to hold up better and easier to maintain.

Wyfox said:

Last I checked the new Purdey bolt gun was 60k USD, used market 35-40k

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I was recently quoted £60k starting, which equates to just under $80k.

LimbNoMo said:

I was recently quoted £60k starting, which equates to just under $80k.

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For that price they better dress my game and carry it back to the vehicle for me.

Wyfox said:

Last I checked the new Purdey bolt gun was 60k USD, used market 35-40k

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I can assure you a best Purdey bolt action in 500J is £140,000 .