WESTLEY RICHARDS ARE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO SEE JOHN RIGBY GUNMAKERS ARE BACK!
When the gunmakers J Rigby & Co. left the UK in 1997 for USA it was indeed a sad day in English gunmaking history. I don't think any of us could have foreseen quite how badly the famous name would be used. The company entered a period of gunmaking that I am sure everyone would prefer to forget. This period was also notable for confusion about the ownership of the name Rigby and many other things which I am sure annoyed many people not least the true Rigby enthusiasts. The company has now entered a new lease of life under the direction of Marc Newton and Patty Pugh, now on her 2nd Rigby revival. With new premises in London and the backing of the mighty Mauser name the company has hit the ground running at the early annual shows in the USA and IWA. The famous 416 Rigby bolt action rifle was of course built on the Magnum Mauser action so this is an appropriate marriage and they are leading the charge with a very competitively priced modern 416 Rigby built on a Magnum 'Mauser' action. The return of Rigby to this country is excellent news for the English Gun trade as a whole. Rigby is one of the greatest names in our Gunmaking history and we are certainly glad to see them back. A .256 Bissell Rising Bite Sidelock Ejector A .275 No.2 Spade Head Sidelock Ejector A .470 Sidelock Ejector Showing Bissell Rising Bite
M.A.Essa on September 23, 2014 at 5:34 pm
pls mark newton, can you tell the us what actions and barrels are used in your big game vs london best. If both are made in isny by mauser than what is the differance betn the two besides embellishments?.
Simon Clode on July 10, 2014 at 11:07 pm
This is my blog Marc and I will do the ‘plugging’!:)
You will be better off explaining what is a Mauser version and what is a Best London version, do they have the same action and barrels and if so what is the difference? The confusion in “what is made where” has always been the downfall of gunmakers. Can people see one of the New old rising bite rifles and why did you elect to use this type of fastening method?
Alistair Heelas on July 6, 2014 at 12:20 am
Simon Clodes blog is possibly one of the best on guns in the modern world, so well done on that score alone, in terms of gun makers and the support of other gun makers to each other. Simple fact is huge efforts have and are being made to benefit English gun making that alone is a huge achievement! Well done to you all.
As a uk manufacturer myself I know the hard work involved, I believe that through the skills of the owners of gun making companies and the amazing people involved in making English best guns, we all benefit from the past but look to the future.
To aspire is to already have succeeded.
Marc Newton and Ed Workman on July 10, 2014 at 11:54 am
We read the above comments with great interest and would also like to congratulate Mr Clode for what is probably the best gunmkaing blog in the world. Mr Workman our factory manager at Rigby’s and former factory manager of Holland and Holland and Purdey would like to extend an invitation to all those wishing to have a personal tour of our gunmaking factory in London.
Whilst our entry level Big Game model is produced in partnership with Mauser (reflecting what was done by the same company 100 years ago) our London Best bolt rifles are manufactured in London using Mauser barrels and Mauser actions, both currently being developed by Mauser in Isny. Our new range of double rifles featuring the famous Rigby rising bite are 100% British made, from the raw Sheffield steel to the engraving and finishing (excluding best quality Turkish walnut stock blanks).
Simon Clode on March 23, 2014 at 3:21 pm
In brief, Peter Nelson worked at J Purdey, left to work with Hartmann & Weiss whom he then left them and started building guns under his own name. He had 2 principle clients and built them a number of guns all which were highly embellished. About 10 years ago Nelson’s subcontract workers left him, much as he had left Hartmann. Peter finished off the remaining guns and then ceased making guns. The guns are not often available but there is a side lever gun for sale in USA at Gallazan’s, at least there was in February at Safari Club.
I am pleased your old Westley’s are still shooting well. A little loose is OK!