John Rigby 303 British

[PaulB]

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.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Awesome! A Rigby Mauser 303 is my dream light rifle.

 

[Moody808]

Beautiful rifle. I love how original and intact it is, you don't see that very often.

 

[BJH65]

Beautiful! Your photography is amazing too!

 

[PaulB]

Awesome! A Rigby Mauser 303 is my dream light rifle.

And a great rifle to pursue. Great taste sir!

 

[PaulB]

Beautiful! Your photography is amazing too!

Thank you

 

[Red Leg]

Very elegant. Unless intended for the gun room, I would have JJ fit new rings to the bases and hunt it with a modern scope. Obviously carefully maintain the old one for when it moves on.

 

[PaulB]

Very elegant. Unless intended for the gun room, I would have JJ fit new rings to the bases and hunt it with a modern scope. Obviously carefully maintain the old one for when it moves on.

I have a set of 30mm rings and a swarovski z8 ready to go with this gun. I planned on using it, but by the time she was ready to go I was lucky enough to purchase a 303 Rigby in takedown version . So this one and my other standard version took a back seat. I’ll use it, but it’s not going to Africa this year.

 

[pjaln]

wow,,I may be forced to buy get one of those I phones !!!

 

[PaulB]

wow,,I may be forced to buy get one of those I phones !!!

You need one.

 

[Jhsmith]

A neat gun and a neat cartridge.
Big bullets going slow.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Absolutely stunning rifle

 

[dhughes66]

Beautiful rifle there sir! Did not know they made them in 303. Like others said. Dream rifle right there!

 

[dgr416]

Looks awesome real classic

 

[baxterb]

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

 

[pjaln]

You need one.

cant afford it

 

[Freetrade]

Wow this is perfection

 

[Huvius]

Beautiful rifle!
This example, being from 1900 (correct?) has to be one of the earliest to use this scope mounting style.
Speed’s book shows a unique large ring Kurz with this style scope mounting which is also the first known square bridge ‘98 made in 1902.
I have a Mauser SB from 1904 with the same mounting (missing the scope unfortunately) and also once owned a scoped break action single shot Rigby with these mounts as well. I don’t recall what year that rifle was made.
My Mauser has no British proofs so I would think that it never saw the shop at Rigby or at least was never sold in or through England.
I long assumed that this mounting style was a Mauser design that Rigby adopted but maybe it originated at Rigby and then used by Mauser on some of their own rifles.

 

[pjaln]

this is from the 1901 catalog showing the same setup with the added base at the rear ,there are some 400/350,s out there that did not have a rear square bridge built into the action and have used the same setup ,,I

 

[farmer_john]

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.

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