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
T. Cox on July 10, 2018 at 11:55 am
The first 2 comments in this post confuse me. I don’t understand the points to them. It’s like this is a new phenomena? In the past and early days most UK gun makers bought actions or barreled actions and simply stocked and sighted then. Some merely put the name on them as a retailer for some rifles or handguns. Didn’t mean they did it to all their rifles or didn’t make them all.
Point is: nothing new, moving on :)
PS: of all the “classic” makers, Westley Richards is my favourite.
Shaun Carr on December 19, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Ludo, very well written reply to the thread above. I am in agreement, the British gun “Best” or not has been copied down the years and may it continue to do so ! The buying of British gun makers names ensures the proud heritage associated with these firms continues and as you state mostly kept within British hands. Regarding the Rigby/Mauser guns, what could be better ! This partnership goes back to the best rifles that Rigby produced, just wish they would produce smaller calibers at an affordable price.
Marc Newton on September 25, 2016 at 6:34 am
Our Big Game model uses parts produced in Isny by Mauser. They are the entry level rifles in our range and can have a number of embellishments added to them.
The London Best model is completely custom. We use actions from Mauser and other suppliers such as Mayfair, it all depends on what the client requests. We offer any calibre, barrel length, an extensive range of profiles etc. All of our LB’s are handmade in our London Workshop.
Ludo Wurfbain on October 18, 2016 at 8:54 pm
I enjoyed reading through the comment section here. I think, however, a few gentlemen are making a few lapses in logic. First of all, yes it is true that a number of iconic British gun making marques are owned by non-British owners. On the other side of the coin it is also true that a good many of them remain in British hands. We live in a world where capital flows to those places it finds good opportunities. Obviously a British gun brand is a good opportunity. But now I am going to turn this equation around; why are there not numerous German, Italian and Spanish gunmakers owned by outsiders? Yes, interesting question! The answer is that the British gun, its style, its enormous tradition and its standards are more sought after than any other. After all go to Ferlach and you can see plenty of British style guns being made besides the very Germanic-look versions of their wonderful guns. Same with the Italians, the majority of their classic-style guns are based on the British contours, looks and feel. For the longest of times some fine Spanish makers lived off copying the “British gun look” for their side by sides to such a degree that you had to be within 10 feet of the gun to see it was not UK made. (Unless you are Simon Clode who could spot them at 23 feet!) I am taking nothing away from all these fine gun making centers but it has to be acknowledged that worldwide the British gun products are met with the greatest demand, their styles are most copied and their reputation and desirability is second to none. Finally I want to add that IMMO the foreign- ownership influx into the British gun trade has made her more competitive, brought forth even higher standards and has made the British gun even more sought after. Bless England for having an open mind to foreign ownership and investment of her companies it has done the UK a world of good. Problems the German, Italian and Spanish makers should have.
Alec swan on January 28, 2016 at 9:44 pm
I’m late in to this discussion, and apologise.
I feel compelled to respond, specifically to those who consider that our long standing and British gunmaking firms are no longer making the guns which they sell. We firstly have to consider that were it not for the likes of Purdey, H&H, Boss and Westley Richards, and their focus on providing apprenticeships which in turn provide the invaluable supply of ‘outworkers’ upon whom such companies often depend. The fact that a Purdey trained Actioner, having served his time, leaves and to set up in business on his own, doesn’t alter the fact that when he is given work, by his former employer, they and we can be quite certain that when the gun leaves the plush showroom, it carries its maker’s name, and that’s vital.
Within the global market place, it would be very unusual to have any product, including Mercedes cars, where every single component is made in house. The important point is that where ever the work was sourced from, the sold item carries the maker’s name, and from the point of view of a quality of assured work and the vital warranty that is attached.
Were I to have outworkers copy for me a WR drop-lock, firstly it wouldn’t have the security of the Westley Richards name, and when it goes wrong, should it it need to have its ejectors prematurely re-timed for instance, where am I to go? If I bought the gun from Westleys, then I’d take it back to them in the certain knowledge that any adjustments would be considered by them to be their responsibility. Would my outworker welcome the gun back?
Mauser actions? Well I stood a while back and watched an outworker milling, polishing and then fitting a set of ‘scope mounts to a new Rigby. The man was Rigby trained, but in the unlikely event of there being a fault, who will the rifle be returned to? The makers, that’s who.
It’s my view that the leading British makers, and WR are amongst them, continue as they do because the world of those with such interests, continues to be served by the established ‘names’, and long may they remain doing so.