Rigby’s first 450 No 2 NE

[AZDAVE]

@Sourdough I am already looking forward to the hunt report.

 

[JvW]

Nice project, but your rifle would actually be the second Rigby in .450 No 2 NE. The first one was made in 1921 for FW Greswolde-Williams as a best sidelock ejector with 26" barrels. It was made by Webley & Scott for Rigby. It is now, to the best of my knowledge, in a collection in the USA.

 

[Brent in Az]

Beautiful piece of lumber to start that build.

 

[Sourdough]

Nice project, but your rifle would actually be the second Rigby in .450 No 2 NE. The first one was made in 1921 for FW Greswolde-Williams as a best sidelock ejector with 26" barrels. It was made by Webley & Scott for Rigby. It is now, to the best of my knowledge, in a collection in the USA.

I think you missed my point. According to Ian Nyschens he had a Rigby in 450 No 2 and I’m inclined to believe him since I figure anyone who has shot north of a thousand elephants would know what gun he used. BUT according to Rigby they’ve never built a 450 No 2. I suspect there were actually a number of them built, but not according to Rigby’s records. Which makes this gun the first 450 No 2 that Rigby has built. And it will be, according to their records. Am I making any sense?

 

[Huvius]

I’d need to look at some entries for 450s in the Rigby ledgers to see if they actually differentiated between the 450s in the book.
I know for sure that some makers simply noted the bore and not the particular variation of the cartridge.
For example, in the Alex Henry ledgers, any 450 is simply described as a “450 bore” but could be the 3-1/4”, No.1 Express, No.2 Musket etc.
Point is, it’s entirely possible that one is not to know which variant the rifle was originally by looking at the ledgers.
Especially as the 450 3-1/4 and the 450 No.2 were both proofed for the same charge (80grs Cordite / 480gr bullet) so unless a particular rifle was engraved on the barrel as to which 450 it is, even the proof marks wouldn’t tell you.

 

[Sourdough]

That is interesting, and from a record keeping point of view unless adhered to precisely could really muddy the waters depending on who might be entering the records. Out of curiosity please let me know what you find and I’ll check with Jerome and see if he knows.

 

[RR 314]

I think you missed my point. According to Ian Nyschens he had a Rigby in 450 No 2 and I’m inclined to believe him since I figure anyone who has shot north of a thousand elephants would know what gun he used. BUT according to Rigby they’ve never built a 450 No 2. I suspect there were actually a number of them built, but not according to Rigby’s records. Which makes this gun the first 450 No 2 that Rigby has built. And it will be, according to their records. Am I making any sense?

Clear! I don’t care if it is number one or number 100, it is going to be absolutely spectacular! Tariff is going to be painful, but it is what it is.

 

[rigbymauser]

I’d need to look at some entries for 450s in the Rigby ledgers to see if they actually differentiated between the 450s in the book.
I know for sure that some makers simply noted the bore and not the particular variation of the cartridge.
For example, in the Alex Henry ledgers, any 450 is simply described as a “450 bore” but could be the 3-1/4”, No.1 Express, No.2 Musket etc.
Point is, it’s entirely possible that one is not to know which variant the rifle was originally by looking at the ledgers.
Especially as the 450 3-1/4 and the 450 No.2 were both proofed for the same charge (80grs Cordite / 480gr bullet) so unless a particular rifle was engraved on the barrel as to which 450 it is, even the proof marks wouldn’t tell you.

the .450 3 1/4" Nitro express was proofed with 70grain cordite.

 

[Huvius]

the .450 3 1/4" Nitro express was proofed with 70grain cordite.

Ah!!
You are correct - don’t know what I was thinking.
So, my previous point on that was wrong!!

 

[rookhawk]

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Congratulations!!! The 450#2 3-1/2" Nitro Express is a magnificent cartridge. Extremely durable brass. Long cartridge that easily feeds into a double rifle. The lowest pressure of the elephant cartridges. Moderate recoil.

The only bad thing about them is brass, dies, and shell holders aren't the easiest to get. CH4D has the dies and shell holders in stock now. Bertram is currently producing the brass in Australia. Make sure to buy plenty of brass as it is currently available.

Other than those minor gotchas, its a fantastic caliber!!!