Blasphemy

[degoins]

Would it be considered blasphemous to mount a scope on a vintage Rigby that has been re-bored, re-chambered and generally restored by the previous owner? The caliber is .375, was originally .350.

 

[Firebird]

Opinion only but I wouldn’t hesitate to put a really good optic on that rifle especially after all the “re” work done to it. But I will never
Be able to own a Rigby either. . .
I say put a great scope on it and take it hunting!

 

[degoins]

Thanks for the reply. I bought an original Rigby a 30-06 few months ago from Griffin and Howe that at some point since it's 1935 birth someone had tastefully added a G&H side mount, mod. 70 type safety and a Blackburn trigger. The mods didn't detract from it to me at all.

 

[degoins]

Actually it was made in 1925. Here's a picture.

 

[shotgungibbs]

That rifle was made to be used, enjoyed. Use it, and enjoy it.

 

[Doug3006]

I’m not a collector, so I’ve never understood the aversion to restoring a fine, collectible firearm. Now for the caveat….the work must be done by the factory or a highly skilled gunsmith. If so, returning a gun to as-new condition seems to be a reasonable (not to mention rewarding) thing to do.

In the classic car world, restoration by a noted shop doesn’t hurt the value of most cars. In fact it often adds considerably to the vehicle’s selling price. The exception is over-the-top restomods that turn classic cars into Frankensteins that only the current owner could love. Now that’s a certain way to lose money!

 

[steve white]

Actually it was made in 1925. Here's a picture.

That's about the only side mount I ever saw that I like.

 

[degoins]

M

That's about the only side mount I ever saw that I like.

Me too.

 

[degoins]

That rifle was made to be used, enjoyed. Use it, and enjoy it.

Actually my grandson used it in the Kalahari with DeKlerks to take a zebra, gemsbok, impala and warthog.
Unfortunately It is now MIA from Delta airlines along with my custom Brevex .375.

 

[baxterb]

I don';t see it that way. Many old Rigbys had Aldis scopes back in the day. The thing is already not original, so if a well-done scope makes the rifle useable for you, do it.

 

[baxterb]

by the way your 06 is a very nice piece of kit.

 

[degoins]

by the way your 06 is a very nice piece of kit.

Thank you sir.

 

[318AE]

I’ve seen the G&H mounts installed that way before, where the side mount is cut out, along with the thumb cut out. I always perceived it to be a premium method of installation, as there is nothing to mount the side mount to there anyway.

Did the previous owner of the rifle leave “Rigby 350 Magnum” on the receiver ring, remove it or re-engrave it 375? The reason I’m asking, is that I think you often see to G&H side mounts retrofitted to these, so as to not mount a base on top of that engraving. The Rigby rifles are often less embellished than others, and that’s one place they almost always put something…

I have some Rigby’s with and without scopes mounted. I’m with the others here - do it tastefully and it makes it a more useful rifle. A low fitted, small objective lens, low power, gloss black Pecar Berlin, B Nickel Marburg, Kahles, Zeiss or Swarovski sounds right to me. This is a great rifle to do it on, as its already “not original”. Use it, lets us know how it turns out, and post some pictures!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Would it be considered blasphemous to mount a scope on a vintage Rigby that has been re-bored, re-chambered and generally restored by the previous owner? The caliber is .375, was originally .350.

Being able to achieve better results with your weapon (and down game cleanly/efficiently/humanely) is more important than adherence to any perceived “Purism” (in my eyes, anyway).

Back in the old days, the old timers thought absolutely nothing of enhancing their weapons with whatever they can get their hands on in order to improve their chances of success. Or even replacing them when something much better (in their eyes, at least) came along.

Take W.D.M Bell, for instance. He (alongside Jim Corbett & Harry Selby) is almost singlehandedly responsible for John Rigby magazine rifles gaining prominence in the hunting world.

But when the Winchester Model 70 came along, he immediately began to prefer it to any British rifle in comparison (including Rigby). Towards the end of his life, the Winchester Model 70 in .220 Swift and .308 Winchester became his favorites.

If my memory serves me correctly, it wasn’t until the mid 1980s that hunters started to opine for features that will make a rifle or shotgun look more “Golden Age”.

In short, go mount that scope and get a nice Cape buffalo !

P.S: That’s a magnificent John Rigby & Co. .30-06 Springfield. The vintage ones have a 1:10 twist rate, which permits them to stabilize 220Gr bullets much better than the currently manufactured ones (which have a 1:11 twist rate that is far better optimized for up to 180Gr bullet weights). I sincerely hope that you get it back soon. Along with your French Brevex .375 Holland & Holland Magnum.

 

[degoins]

I’ve seen the G&H mounts installed that way before, where the side mount is cut out, along with the thumb cut out. I always perceived it to be a premium method of installation, as there is nothing to mount the side mount to there anyway.

Did the previous owner of the rifle leave “Rigby 350 Magnum” on the receiver ring, remove it or re-engrave it 375? The reason I’m asking, is that I think you often see to G&H side mounts retrofitted to these, so as to not mount a base on top of that engraving. The Rigby rifles are often less embellished than others, and that’s one place they almost always put something…

I have some Rigby’s with and without scopes mounted. I’m with the others here - do it tastefully and it makes it a more useful rifle. A low fitted, small objective lens, low power, gloss black Pecar Berlin, B Nickel Marburg, Kahles, Zeiss or Swarovski sounds right to me. This is a great rifle to do it on, as its already “not original”. Use it, lets us know how it turns out, and post some pictures!

It has nothing on the receiver ring ( first thing I looked for when considering a scope mount). The original caliber marking is on the barrel and upside down. The .375 caliber designation is engraved on the magazine floor plate.

 

[degoins]

Being able to achieve better results with your weapon (and down game cleanly/efficiently/humanely) is more important than adherence to any perceived “Purism” (in my eyes, anyway).

Back in the old days, the old timers thought absolutely nothing of enhancing their weapons with whatever they can get their hands on in order to improve their chances of success. Or even replacing them when something much better (in their eyes, at least) came along.

Take W.D.M Bell, for instance. He (alongside Jim Corbett & Harry Selby) is almost singlehandedly responsible for John Rigby magazine rifles gaining prominence in the hunting world.

But when the Winchester Model 70 came along, he immediately began to prefer it to any British rifle in comparison (including Rigby). Towards the end of his life, the Winchester Model 70 in .220 Swift and .308 Winchester became his favorites.

If my memory serves me correctly, it wasn’t until the mid 1980s that hunters started to opine for features that will make a rifle or shotgun look more “Golden Age”.

In short, go mount that scope and get a nice Cape buffalo !

P.S: That’s a magnificent John Rigby & Co. .30-06 Springfield. The vintage ones have a 1:10 twist rate, which permits them to stabilize 220Gr bullets much better than the currently manufactured ones (which have a 1:11 twist rate that is far better optimized for up to 180Gr bullet weights). I sincerely hope that you get it back soon. Along with your French Brevex .375 Holland & Holland Magnum.

Thank you sir.

 

[PerH]

Powell Cotton was one of the first to use a scoped rifle as his main use one. It was a 6,5x54 and that and his other rifles is in the museum in Kent

 

[Firebird]

Just for fun you could look at “Vintage Rifle Telescopes” website and see if anything reaches out to you-

 

[Dewald]

Would it be considered blasphemous to mount a scope on a vintage Rigby that has been re-bored, re-chambered and generally restored by the previous owner? The caliber is .375, was originally .350.

Out of interest sake, is it a magnum action, DSB, SSB, or round receiver ring.

Given the fact that it has been altered already, i would not hesitate to put a nice scope on. Something like a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 or if you want to go smaller one of the vintage 1,5-4 Zeiss or S&B scopes would work well.

Given the action type you can decide between G&H mounts, or German claw style mounts like EAW. I would prefer the latter, but it is really a matter of personal preference.

 

[uplander01]

Have it done right and it will be no big deal, sounds like the gun isn’t original anyway. I have two gh side mounts and they are slick and allows full view of sights. Hh side mount is cool too but good luck finding someone to do it. Just don’t straight up drill and tap it,….at least I wouldnt