Which is better? Vintage Rigby vs New Rigby

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Hi guys

I have the opportunity to buy a 1907 Rigby in 303 British.... yes with an original slant box commercial Oberndorf Mauser action. What do you think? The vintage Rigby or a new Highland Stalker?

Cheers

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I would love to have anything that beats the name John Rigby. That being said if was looking for an open sight light rifle I would look no further than this 303

 

[Bullthrower338]

Beautiful rifle! Pure sexiness! Depending upon the condition of the bore and rest of the gun. I would love to have an original Rigby if I had to choose between them. Now that being said a highland stalker is a wonderful rifle that anyone should be proud to own. The fact this one is a 303 kind of adds to it IMO. Buy this and a Stalker in 275 and avoid the tough decision!

 

[ActionBob]

What a fantastic First World problem to have

I think I'd take the old one, you can always order the new one, but can't always find the old one, especially in good shape

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Beautiful rifle! Pure sexiness! Depending upon the condition of the bore and rest of the gun. I would love to have an original Rigby if I had to choose between them. Now that being said a highland stalker is a wonderful rifle that anyone should be proud to own. The fact this one is a 303 kind of adds to it IMO. Buy this and a Stalker in 275 and avoid the tough decision!

Bore is mint, the blueing on the floor plate is almost all gone though.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

The best part is that it was owned by this gentleman.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gough_(British_Army_officer)

 

[Bullthrower338]

I would not have any reservations about owning that rifle, you would have to knock the smile off my face each time I opened the safe

 

[CAustin]

Very nice find sir

 

[Red Leg]

I own a Highland Stalker (in .275). It is a spectacular rifle. I love it. It is much more practical than the rifle you are looking at (i.e. designed for scope use). However, assuming the bore is as described, the .303 is easily worth the cost of a new Stalker and it would be my choice. As @ActionBob suggests, you can always pick up a Stalker when the mad money account is replenished.

Most importantly, if the provenance is accurate, you would own a true treasure. John Gough was a true hero of the Empire. That would put a meaningful premium on such a rifle for me.

In fact, if you decide you do not want it - please PM me.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

I own a Highland Stalker (in .275). It is a spectacular rifle. I love it. It is much more practical than the rifle you are looking at (i.e. designed for scope use). However, assuming the bore is as described, the .303 is easily worth the cost of a new Stalker and it would be my choice. As @ActionBob suggests, you can always pick up a Stalker when the mad money account is replenished.

Most importantly, if the provenance is accurate, you would own a true treasure. John Gough was a true hero of the Empire. That would put a meaningful premium on such a rifle for me.

Thanks Redleg. That makes a lot of sense. The provenance is from Rigby themselves!

I am definitely leaning towards the 303

 

[AZDAVE]

I would go with the older Rigby, one for the caliber, two for the provenance, three for the you can always buy a new one, four blueing on the speaks of many adventures and won't affect the accuracy of a mint bore.

 

[318AE]

Vintage Rigby - everyday, in every way....

 

[cwdubya]

Vintage for sure!

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'm betting that history wins out.
Show us the pictures when you get it home.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Just payed the first instalment.....

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Somethings only come once in a lifetime, this is one of those times. I will never sell my pre-war .416R Rigby. I bought and sold one of the new ones, quickly!

 

[ActionBob]

Just payed the first instalment.....

Good move!

If you ever want to sell it, please post here and I'll be hoping @Red Leg is off in the bushes someplace so I get first chance..... and I'll do my best to encourage @Bullthrower338 to have his money spent on other things

 

[alby]

Congratulations on a nice bit of history! Now to add your own to it.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Good move!

If you ever want to sell it, please post here and I'll be hoping @Red Leg is off in the bushes someplace so I get first chance..... and I'll do my best to encourage @Bullthrower338 to have his money spent on other things

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

A couple of members have asked me to post some pictures. I just took a few pictures with my phone, if I can get my wife to post them they will be up shortly. There will be 3 Rifles in the picture from top to bottom #1 Pre war .416R Rigby single square bridge, #2 .404J Rigby single square bridge, #3 a Jefferies .404j. Hope you enjoy!