The Final African Safari of Paul Roberts

[RIGBY]

I received a note from Rigby’s Managing Director, Marc Newton, who had just been accompanied by his mentor, Paul Roberts, on a cape buffalo hunt.

Marc got his start in the trade working for Paul. At the very beginning when they met, Paul told him “from little acorns, big oaks grow,” which was certainly prescient.

Paul is now 84 and this was his final African safari, capping a legendary career contributing to the world of hunting.

During the hunt, Marc carried (and is holding in the pictures) the first .416 Rigby rifle that Paul built in 1982 during his tenure with Rigby (1982-1997).

Paul owned and carried this rifle on many adventures and recently gifted it to Marc.

Marc described one of the days in the field with Paul as “the most magical day of my hunting life”!

 

[Altitude sickness]

What is Paul holding.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

An extraordinary gentleman with outstanding contributions to the gun making industry.

His affiliation with John Rigby & Co. technically precedes 1982. In the 1970s, John Rigby & Co. was outsourcing the manufacture of their magazine rifles to Paul Roberts & Sons. Their shotguns were being manufactured by Pedro Arrizabalaga in Spain. When I visited the Rigby shop in 1974, I was told that double rifles were not being produced since 1939. A gentleman named David Marx was the director, at the time.

Mr. Roberts is one of the few living hunters to have completed the full African Big Five and even has a Gaur to his credit, in Asia. (quite possibly being the last European hunter to bag this gigantic wild oxen). He hunted with my relative, Nawab Shifath Ali Khan in the Nilgiri Hills of India.

He designed the .450 Rigby Rimless Magnum and is the first English gun maker who recognized the suitability of the BRNO ZKK602 action for large caliber magazine rifle builds in the 1970s. At that time, most English gun makers were far too uptight to even consider the “Lowly” Czech actions on their custom rifles.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

What is Paul holding.

I believe it’s a .450 Rigby Rimless Magnum, @Altitude sickness

Bore looks a little thicker than a .416 Rigby.

 

[RIGBY]

What is Paul holding.

Ill ask and report back…

 

[Tintin]

What priceless photos, I'm sure ones Marc will treasure for years.

The second picture seems to capture well an apparently pensive moment, during Paul's 'bookend' African Safari. A poignant reminder that we're all not getting younger.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Just two men and their bull, taking a break from a long day of hunting while admiring their rifles. What I find special and amazing? No glass on those bolt guns. That's what I wish for.

 

[Tintin]

Just two men and their bull, taking a break from a long day of hunting while admiring their rifles. What I find special and amazing? No glass on those bolt guns. That's what I wish for.

Hope I can still shoot with iron sights at 84.

 

[alby]

I believe it’s a .450 Rigby Rimless Magnum, @Altitude sickness

Bore looks a little thicker than a .416 Rigby.

agreed,
Stepped barrel profile.

 

[RIGBY]

What is Paul holding.

Marc answered that Paul was carrying a “single square bridge .416 built by Rigby under my leadership. Was very special to see the man who taught me all I know about gun making, carrying and using a rifle that my team had built.”

 

[Altitude sickness]

Seems like a thick barrel for .416

 

[AZDAVE]

That picture just makes me smile then close my eyes and smell the bush and hear the ox peckers.

Thank You for sharing.