A while ago I saw a post by Franz Davis, head of community at @RIGBY inviting members of AH who found themselves in London to visit the workshop, museum and range.
Well I was going to be in London for a wedding, so I popped him a message and crossed my fingers the offer hadn’t expired. Needless to say it hadn’t, and within hours I was in a whatsapp group with him, Tony Sinnett and Patrick Hawes the new Showroom manager.
Long story short, on Thursday afternoon I was at the West London Shooting School with Jérôme Lanoue, who redesigned and built the Shakiri Double rifle in 2024, with the prototype he built and has used hard since. He’s put 2500 rounds through it in two years he said. Remarkable, especially for a 500NE. He’s about to build another with two sets of barrels and retire the prototype to the museum.
Now I’m no expert, I’m new to doubles. I have a 9.3x74r, currently back in France for a warranty repair which I’ve fed only 250 rounds through. I’ve never shot a Purdey, a H&H or a Westley Richards but I was hugely impressed with the Rigby. It balanced beautifully between the hands, open and cloesd with the lightest touch and closed with the finality of a bank vault and though the LOP was about an inch short for me had fully half the recoil I expected. I have a video of my shooting it but unfortunately AH doesn't allow mp4 files.
Of course in such august company I immediately developed a flinch and shot like a 12yr old borrowing their father’s 12guage. Even having bruised my own ego wasn’t enough to wipe my grin off my face. He gave me some tips I’ll be practicing. Worth it.
We were there for probably an hour or so before we started shooting. Talking about what is/isn’t important in a rifle, lead times, improvements they’ve made to the final design, caliber preferences and suitability, where we’ve been shooting recently and generally having a good chat. He’s not a fan of necked cartridges in doubles, half because of performance, recoil, pressures but also because of availability in Africa if your rifle arrives but the ammunition doesn't. Shame as I liked what I read of the 500/416, but if you don’t listen to the guy with the experience then you deserve to your mistakes.
The next morning and I was at the Rigby offices (a half hour taxi from central london, a bit of a treck but I’m glad they don’t have to add the price of Mayfair rent to their rifles), its an industrial unit in an alley between a garage and what looked like an industrial kitchen. Patrick is showroom manager and showed me round. He joined in April, but was hugely charming and charismatic, clearly liked by the team and already a wealth of knowledge.
He showed me the finished rifles, starting with what I think was a 700NE rising bite (but might have been 600NE), 22lbs and a complete monster! Before exploring the warren of rooms.
Engravers in the eves, with magnified goggles and tiny vices. With good advice and stories of surprising commissions. I won’t go into it but you wouldn’t believe what some people want on their guns. Next to the gunmakers to talk about colour-casehardening, barrel thicknesses, personal preferences on ammunition and grain weight. stockmakers, finishers, and apprentices.
I didn’t count but there were probably 15 in total, all young, engaged, cheerful, proud of their work and clearly enjoying their jobs.
Then the museum, Jim Corbett's rifle, stories about customers new and old. Especially important to me as Maneaters of Kumaon was the first hunting book I read and what really set the hook in me.
Finishing with a walk of a few blocks to the new and impressive premises which was a detached townhouse crawling with workmen. Painters, plasterers and electricians rushing to finish the snagging so Rigby can move in. The trophy room partly hung will be especially amazing and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve when the team gets to work in a purpose built space with good light and space to breathe.
Thank you @RIGBY very much for taking so much time indulging me and I hope you enjoy the whisky and the Biltong!
Well I was going to be in London for a wedding, so I popped him a message and crossed my fingers the offer hadn’t expired. Needless to say it hadn’t, and within hours I was in a whatsapp group with him, Tony Sinnett and Patrick Hawes the new Showroom manager.
Long story short, on Thursday afternoon I was at the West London Shooting School with Jérôme Lanoue, who redesigned and built the Shakiri Double rifle in 2024, with the prototype he built and has used hard since. He’s put 2500 rounds through it in two years he said. Remarkable, especially for a 500NE. He’s about to build another with two sets of barrels and retire the prototype to the museum.
Now I’m no expert, I’m new to doubles. I have a 9.3x74r, currently back in France for a warranty repair which I’ve fed only 250 rounds through. I’ve never shot a Purdey, a H&H or a Westley Richards but I was hugely impressed with the Rigby. It balanced beautifully between the hands, open and cloesd with the lightest touch and closed with the finality of a bank vault and though the LOP was about an inch short for me had fully half the recoil I expected. I have a video of my shooting it but unfortunately AH doesn't allow mp4 files.
Of course in such august company I immediately developed a flinch and shot like a 12yr old borrowing their father’s 12guage. Even having bruised my own ego wasn’t enough to wipe my grin off my face. He gave me some tips I’ll be practicing. Worth it.
We were there for probably an hour or so before we started shooting. Talking about what is/isn’t important in a rifle, lead times, improvements they’ve made to the final design, caliber preferences and suitability, where we’ve been shooting recently and generally having a good chat. He’s not a fan of necked cartridges in doubles, half because of performance, recoil, pressures but also because of availability in Africa if your rifle arrives but the ammunition doesn't. Shame as I liked what I read of the 500/416, but if you don’t listen to the guy with the experience then you deserve to your mistakes.
The next morning and I was at the Rigby offices (a half hour taxi from central london, a bit of a treck but I’m glad they don’t have to add the price of Mayfair rent to their rifles), its an industrial unit in an alley between a garage and what looked like an industrial kitchen. Patrick is showroom manager and showed me round. He joined in April, but was hugely charming and charismatic, clearly liked by the team and already a wealth of knowledge.
He showed me the finished rifles, starting with what I think was a 700NE rising bite (but might have been 600NE), 22lbs and a complete monster! Before exploring the warren of rooms.
Engravers in the eves, with magnified goggles and tiny vices. With good advice and stories of surprising commissions. I won’t go into it but you wouldn’t believe what some people want on their guns. Next to the gunmakers to talk about colour-casehardening, barrel thicknesses, personal preferences on ammunition and grain weight. stockmakers, finishers, and apprentices.
I didn’t count but there were probably 15 in total, all young, engaged, cheerful, proud of their work and clearly enjoying their jobs.
Then the museum, Jim Corbett's rifle, stories about customers new and old. Especially important to me as Maneaters of Kumaon was the first hunting book I read and what really set the hook in me.
Finishing with a walk of a few blocks to the new and impressive premises which was a detached townhouse crawling with workmen. Painters, plasterers and electricians rushing to finish the snagging so Rigby can move in. The trophy room partly hung will be especially amazing and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve when the team gets to work in a purpose built space with good light and space to breathe.
Thank you @RIGBY very much for taking so much time indulging me and I hope you enjoy the whisky and the Biltong!
