John Rigby 303 British

[pjaln]

Thats an amazing rifle. Where are good places to look for older hunting rifles?

in Paul Bryans safe ,hes got all of them and then some !!!!

 

[farmer_john]

in Paul Bryans safe ,hes got all of them and then some !!!!

Lmao not sure how to get one from his safe to mine.
I love older guns. And im lretty sure in a few years im going on my first african Hunt going to get a 416 rigby. Or at least thats the plan.

 

[John Telford]

So according to records only about 100 of these were produced based on the Siamese Pattern slant box magazine which was also used for the 350 rimmed and the ultra rare as in one only 450/400 rimless.
The Mauser serial numbers were issued from 1-100 with a handful falling out of the series.
I have seen rifle 26 43 and 92.
Yours is 29 and I think it belonged to a friend of mine.
If I scratch around my gunroom I’m sure I’ll find the list of all the .303 Rigbys that I’ve managed to catalogue about 10 or so.
I know that Ben Musgrave used these rifles to build his .240 Musgrave which was a necked down .303 so a whole bunch must have been taken out the market. Speed lists this and the Kurtz Mauser as the most desirable to own.
I have one that used to belong to Maj Pretorius the famed elephant hunter.

 

[John Telford]

For those who may be interested.
Please add if you know of any others floating around.
Can’t recall if this includes the ones in Speeda book.

 

[pjaln]

So according to records only about 100 of these were produced based on the Siamese Pattern slant box magazine which was also used for the 350 rimmed and the ultra rare as in one only 450/400 rimless.
The Mauser serial numbers were issued from 1-100 with a handful falling out of the series.
I have seen rifle 26 43 and 92.
Yours is 29 and I think it belonged to a friend of mine.
If I scratch around my gunroom I’m sure I’ll find the list of all the .303 Rigbys that I’ve managed to catalogue about 10 or so.
I know that Ben Musgrave used these rifles to build his .240 Musgrave which was a necked down .303 so a whole bunch must have been taken out the market. Speed lists this and the Kurtz Mauser as the most desirable to own.
I have one that used to belong to Maj Pretorius the famed elephant hunter.

ive had this one about since 1990 or so its all original action # 3498

 

[Huvius]

This is the Mauser I mention above:

And the Rigby break action which started life as a 303 and was rebored/chambered to 400/350.

 

[PaulB]

Lovely as always. Is it a slant box? I killed my first deer with a .303.

Yes indeed, slant box

 

[pjaln]

Lmao not sure how to get one from his safe to mine.
I love older guns. And im lretty sure in a few years im going on my first african Hunt going to get a 416 rigby. Or at least thats the plan.

there are few good deals out there , you get a lot for your money with Oberndorf sporters ,the same pedigree at a 3rd the cost

 

[PaulB]

Thats an amazing rifle. Where are good places to look for older hunting rifles?

That’s a hard one to answer, I have contact ms in a few countries always hunting for me. Guns international has some from time to time

 

[Huvius]

Paul, is the floor plate on your rifle hinged?
I see pjaln’s is but hard to see on your rifle.

 

[pjaln]

Paul, is the floor plate on your rifle hinged?
I see pjaln’s is but hard to see on your rifle.

I see the button , ive never seen a 303 on anything but a hinged floor plate semi drop box

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

That's another nice rifle
Gumpy

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Always with the coolest toys. Super nice.

 

[RIGBY]

Beautiful rifle and photography (as usual)! Thank you for regularly spoiling us!

 

[ZG47]

My Rigby pre-war .303 British.

Serial number 2121, is a very straightforward and honest example of an early Rigby sporting rifle. It’s built on the classic Mauser action and chambered for the .303 cartridge, which Rigby used often in this era because of its accuracy, mild recoil, and proven performance on deer-sized game. The rifle still has its original Rigby factory bases, the early pre-war style that were machined specifically for this model and fitted directly to the receiver. Sitting on those bases are the proper Rigby proprietary rings, the slim, practical design Rigby used before standardized systems became common. The rifle also retains its original scope, which is a rare thing to still have with a pre-war Rigby. Altogether, it’s a clean, correct example that represents exactly what Rigby was building in that period.

View attachment 733982View attachment 733983View attachment 733984View attachment 733985View attachment 733986

Beautiful. Hunting report coming?

 

[PaulB]

in Paul Bryans safe ,hes got all of them and then some !!!!

Pjaln - i wouldn’t say “all”

 

[PaulB]

Lmao not sure how to get one from his safe to mine.
I love older guns. And im lretty sure in a few years im going on my first african Hunt going to get a 416 rigby. Or at least thats the plan.

A fantastic choice

 

[PaulB]

Beautiful rifle and photography (as usual)! Thank you for regularly spoiling us!

I’m glad there are folks who appreciate these guns!

 

[coreydb]

I would have that with me in my casket.

 

[PaulB]

So according to records only about 100 of these were produced based on the Siamese Pattern slant box magazine which was also used for the 350 rimmed and the ultra rare as in one only 450/400 rimless.
The Mauser serial numbers were issued from 1-100 with a handful falling out of the series.
I have seen rifle 26 43 and 92.
Yours is 29 and I think it belonged to a friend of mine.
If I scratch around my gunroom I’m sure I’ll find the list of all the .303 Rigbys that I’ve managed to catalogue about 10 or so.
I know that Ben Musgrave used these rifles to build his .240 Musgrave which was a necked down .303 so a whole bunch must have been taken out the market. Speed lists this and the Kurtz Mauser as the most desirable to own.
I have one that used to belong to Maj Pretorius the famed elephant hunter.

Great info, I’ve got three 303s made by John rigby. One is a takedown, I’ll post pics of it soon