W.J.JEFFERY & CO. Hand Crafted Big Game Rifles

[Rare Breed]

I disagree, as in my opinion (and my personal experience) a Rigby - or a Jeffery - worth every single penny

Agree. Powerful brands have to earn the good will that drives their value and Rigby, Westley Ricards,Jeffery, Purdy have all earned theirs

 

[Flewis]

I handled a best H&H years ago and could see every penny of the price.

 

[Daniel Cary]

For me the most important thing to remember is the value is in the eye of the beholder. Should hear some of the comments I have had recently when I bought my new Rigby .

That 450's another Work of Art.

 

[Daniel Cary]

An unfortunate case of expensive taste perhaps

 

[Daniel Cary]

If this was built in the 90's "Rock Island Auction, idk when", would this be a Paul Roberts, ie "Jeffery"?
Many Thanks to anyone.

 

[Daniel Cary]

They only sold a total of 24 rifles in .500 Jeffery between 1927 and 1940, and of these 24, 21 were made by Henry Leonard in Birmingham, while the other three were completed by George Gibbs of Bristol, maker of the famous .505 Gibbs. Not to be outdone, Westley Richards completed a lone double in .500 Jeffery in 1937 as well.

Original .500 Jeffery rifles are extremely rare. They tend to end up in collections, never to reappear again, and are highly treasured. They also have a strange effect on some people. No names will be uttered here, but in one instance, a certain “collector” borrowed an original Jeffery .500 from its owner “just to take photographs” and replaced the action with another Magnum M98 action from a .404 that he had specially engraved for the purpose. The switch was discovered by a sharp-eyed gunsmith who alerted the rifle’s owner. Murder and carnage were avoided, albeit only just. Such depravity borders on the insane, it must be said.

Again, a 2002 .. Just curious how many rifles were built under the "W. J. Jeffery" name 1940-2023? If I'm wording this correct.

 

[Flewis]

No, someone would have died, maybe the whole family.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I recommend an honest comparison between the rifles made by R. Smithson, R. Buehler, R. Breeding, R. Martini, Dorleac & Dorleac, and other top makers and the London (Birmingham, actually) makers. I challenge you to find even a single point in which the 'London' products are superior.

The Brits make great shotguns, I fully admit, but the rifles are not in the same class. Rarity, collectability, 'brand value', etc. do not count in the assessment of actual build quality.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I recommend an honest comparison between the rifles made by R. Smithson, R. Buehler, R. Breeding, R. Martini, Dorleac & Dorleac, and other top makers and the London (Birmingham, actually) makers. I challenge you to find even a single point in which the 'London' products are superior.

The Brits make great shotguns, I fully admit, but the rifles are not in the same class. Rarity, collectability, 'brand value', etc. do not count in the assessment of actual build quality.

Have you owned a rifle from one of top English gun makers?
I'd love someone to hand me a rifle that's of better build quality than this Rigby I just bought, not saying there isn't better out there, just saying if there is It must be bloody amazing.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I don’t need to own one to have thoroughly inspected one. I do have a number of Brit double guns from Boss, H. Atkin, Dickson, and Harkom. Excellent weapons. The top builders in the UK produce good rifles as well… but not any better than those from other top makers, and certainly not “better enough” to demand 3X the price.
I shoot left-handed and most of my rifles were built for me by top tier U.S. makers, so I am quite familiar with their quality and pricing.
Of course, anyone is free to buy and spend whatever they wish, I am not a Communist after all.

 

[Flewis]

I don’t need to own one to have thoroughly inspected one. I do have a number of Brit double guns from Boss, H. Atkin, Dickson, and Harkom. Excellent weapons. The top builders in the UK produce good rifles as well… but not any better than those from other top makers, and certainly not “better enough” to demand 3X the price.
I shoot left-handed and most of my rifles were built for me by top tier U.S. makers, so I am quite familiar with their quality and pricing.
Of course, anyone is free to buy and spend whatever they wish, I am not a Communist after all.

You should know better than to have your own opinion by now.

 

[WAB]

I was stalking red deer on the Earl of Mansfields estate thirty or so years ago. I was given the Earl’s Rigby in .275 Rigby to use. It was one of the finest rifles I have ever handled. I will take nothing away from the fine American makers, I have three of their rifles, but my nod still goes to the London Best.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Just curious, the "California Built Rigby's" .. are they still considered London guns?

 

[Nevada Mike]

Just curious, the "California Built Rigby's" .. are they still considered London guns?

Hardly. The Paso Robles guns are not the same.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Hardly. The Paso Robles guns are not the same.

It get's deeper by the min!

 

[Daniel Cary]

Not to dismiss anyone's knowledge here, a really great member shared his thoughts & pics (here) on a "W. J. Jeffery" .500 listing. The outfitter never shared who built it, 80's, 90's, price was Firm, Cost was Exorbitant & Layaway Available. It sold for asking price.

This is what prompt the thread. Who Built W. J. Jeffery's from 1940 to 2023.
Information is invaluable.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just curious, the "California Built Rigby's" .. are they still considered London guns?

NO!!! and i now own one and love it! However it has Paso Robles on the barrel in addition to the gold John Rigby. According to JJ Perodeau i have a great rifle very well made…however in no way whatsoever would JJ say my DR Rigby made in CA ever compare with a London made

 

[Daniel Cary]

Does this one have a Flag Safety?
Thank you.

WJ JEFFERY MAGAZINE RIFLE .500 CAL - 40061 for sale

WJ JEFFERY MAGAZINE RIFLE .500 CAL - 40061 for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[FlowHamed18]

Does this one have a Flag Safety?
Thank you.

WJ JEFFERY MAGAZINE RIFLE .500 CAL - 40061 for sale

WJ JEFFERY MAGAZINE RIFLE .500 CAL - 40061 for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Related to their Homepage and the pictures - the .500 Jeffery has a flag safety or a side safety depending on the order.

So it is possible that this one has a flag safety...

 

[Hunter-Habib]

It is one of the most common and unappealing human traits. This forum is full of my X at one tenth the price is just as good as his Y. I shoot my inexpensive whatever better than anyone else can shoot their more expensive choice. It is true whether we are talking guns, watches, or whisky.

I will never spend the money for a London Best SxS, but I can certainly recognize them for the unique craftsmanship they represent. I actually feel sorry for those who can't.

Same here. When I graduated from University of London in 1965, my father took me to the James Purdey & Sons store when he & my mother came to pick me up during my graduation. Ever since that day, I've dreamt of owning a James Purdey & Sons double rifle (preferably in .600 Nitro Express).

I don't think I'll ever succeed, but I think it's incredibly lowly & uncouth for people to belittle them simply because they are out of our budget.