AR folks,

I've been blessed to win an older Rigby in .416 on Gunbroker, so I have a new project to get this rifle back to Africa. The gun is in what I would call pretty rough cosmetic shape (but usable), and I am looking to get it refurbished to like new condition. I've spoken with the Rigby folks in London, and they are happy and willing to do it, although at an obviously very high cost and lengthy timeline.

So, I have a few questions for folks on AR. Do you think that I would be better served to have Rigby do the refurbishment, or alternatively a highly recommended Gunsmith in the USA? If doing it in the USA wouldn't sacrifice future value, who would you recommend?

I've talked with the Turnbull folks, and the prefer not to do bolt actions, and they recommended New England Custom Guns. I've spoken with NECG's and they've said they've worked on original Rigby's several times.

I think there are some obvious advantages to having in done in the USA including cost and turnaround time, but I certainly don't want to do anything to sacrifice the lineage or historical value of the finished product once restored. Any recommendations from folks who have tackled similar projects? This would be the first time I've tackled a project of this cost and importance. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
David Whipple.

I’ve seen some nice restorations by Michael Merker.

Www.michaelmerker.com

Maybe Lon Paul? Duane Wiebe?

I would say with the makers we have here, you can get as good if not better results than sending it back to the new version of Rigby.

Lon is probably the most knowledgeable about Rigby's . And builds them as well as the old rifles. A few years ago he brought one of his to SCI and I was carrying it past Rigby and Paul Roberts saw it and called me over. He had it in his hands and told me he could tell me the year it was built just by looking at it !
I told him to read the name on the barrel first and he looked and could not believe it. He said he wished Rigby could build rifles like that today

Other smiths like Joe Smithson, Reto Butler and James Tucker can also do superb work

Thank you guys, much appreciated.

Anyone have any thoughts on implications to value of refurbishing a firearm like this?

I've been told from S&W collector friends of mine, that leaving them in complete original condition makes them hold their value better.

I'm not sure if this part of the firearm market (high end safari rifles) values keeping them in original condition, or if having it reputably restored is the better path. I ask because I think it's in hunting condition, as is..

quote:

Anyone have any thoughts on implications to value of refurbishing a firearm like this?

All depends on how bad a shape it is in and how rare a rifle it is.

Reto Buhler would be a good candidate as well.

Jeff

Dave Norin is another.

If you’re really concerned about maximizing future value I’d think sending to Rigby the only choice.

I believe the US authorized rep is still Lee Le Bas of Minden NV

I talked to the Rigby folks last week and they use Blaser USA as the US Agent to handle the international transfer. If I remember correctly, it was a investment group led by Blaser that ended up purchasing the rights to Rigby from the previous USA company that owned the Rigby rights.

No question that the best and safest bet (from an investment perspective) would be to send it to London. A few years back, when London was Paso Robles, I wouldn't have said so.

What with the export and return import requirements and associated cost to sent it to the UK like Phil I think Lon Paul is a better option

There's a lot of guff spoken, in the USA, and in the UK, but more in the USA I have to say about re-finishing British guns.

These guns are working tools. If the blacking wore then, at some time or another, the weapon would be re-blacked. Now the engraving on the barrel, its makers name, the first time might be left as is.

My late father's gun has now been re-blacked twice. But it was made in 1919 so two re-blacks in a hundred years isn't bad. But on the second re-black it had the name on the barrel rib picked up.

The rifle that the OP asks about iss still a Rigby. It'll just be a Rigby that has been put back into good order for what it was designed to do. To be used.

Would I send it to Rigby? Hmm! I think I'd find out who Rigby will send it to and cut out the middleman (Rigby) and send it directly to THAT person.

There aren't many in UK that do that sort of work and if you ask around the UK Forums you'll get the answer to that question.

Would I have it done in the USA? If I saw the work that the man could do, and his turnaround time was reasonable then, yes, of course I would if I lived in the USA.

The thing I'd be wary about is possible problems with BATF and having it come back into the USA if it has a cut-out on the receiver.

Would I re-finish a military weapon? No. Nor a Smith & Wesson revolver nor a Colt pistol. But I don't think they wear the finish in a way that a working rifle or a working shot gun does where the black has worn through to the metal or the checkering has worn smooth or become clogged. I'd do it. Every time when needed.

But I'd never re-colour the colour hardening.

Who is Rigby today? I'm sure they have fine craftsmen in their employ, but they are not who made that rifle.

Those chaps are gone, and the company that they worked for is as well. To my mind, today's Rigby has to earn their rep on the merits of what they make now. Rigby is just a name, not a guaranty of quality. If they had maintained a continuous lineage to today, I would perhaps feel differently, but sadly, they didn't.

I'd have it looked at by a good name stateside. Several have been mentioned who can do the original Rigby name justice. Or, if it is shootable, maybe just enjoy it as is. There is history in the wear.

Jeremy

AR folks, thank you again for all the excellent and thoughtful responses. I think there are some really good points that have been brought out for me to consider. If I can figure out how to get permissions, I will post some before and after PIC's..

Today's Rigby is owned by Baser. They do not make new rifles in the same class as the old one before WW2 or even what J Roberts & son did until the early 1980s.

The new Rigby Rifles are about 1.5 lbs heavier than the classics.

Another point already mentioned above is that much of the work is outsourced. They do not do a lot of work in-house.

Wesley Richards may do more work in house.

I would love to see photos of your rifle as it is right now and then after all the restoration work is done.

Wish you all the best.

Guys,

I've learned quite a bit about the rifle. It looks like it was probably built in the mid 80's when Rigby was at the Paul Mead? address in London. That's good news and bad. It would have been great if it were older, but the fact that it was still a London address is a positive. It was probably a custom build for someone. I also learned the Mauser Serial # is 4190. All this information is being relayed, so I will confirm once it is in hand. I spoke with Lon Paul, and he was an enormous help in understanding the history of Rigby a bit better.

Pall Mall? Surely?

quote:

Originally posted by David A Whipple:
Guys,

I've learned quite a bit about the rifle. It looks like it was probably built in the mid 80's when Rigby was at the Paul Mead? address in London. That's good news and bad. It would have been great if it were older, but the fact that it was still a London address is a positive. It was probably a custom build for someone. I also learned the Mauser Serial # is 4190. All this information is being relayed, so I will confirm once it is in hand. I spoke with Lon Paul, and he was an enormous help in understanding the history of Rigby a bit better.

Sounds like it was built when John or Paul Roberts owned Rigby. It’s a good possibility Mark Renmant built the rifle, and he is currently still at Rigby. Nice guy.

Here are some PIC's of the Rigby - Before Restoration

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fQCoSCnZrCMtHm2q2

Damn nice rifle. I wouldn't do much, if it were me - just get the tank topped off and hit the field.

Good advice, that's the current plan.. Back to Africa it will go..

Its not a matter of who can do the work, a multitude of American are capable..but resale value of the rifle will be out of sight if Rigby does the work, end of story and yes they are a spendy bunch, but I would go that route.

I recently sold such a gun and the new owner sent it to the London firm, and it came back as original with a letter and confirmation of the date it was made and History and he could sell that gun today for $55,000 Im told. and that would double his money. Worth a consideration..

All that said, I would use it as is, that's a damn nice rifle with not much wear, and whats there is honest wear..All it really needs is a rust blue by Rigby IMO, but I personally would just hunt with it as is, it can always be refinished at some point in time if you must.

Thanks Ray, I think that is the route I am going to go with this rifle, although through this thread I was able to meet Lon, and he was very gracious with his time and advice, I will definitely be getting a rifle built by him in the future.

The most Rigby thing about your rifle is the step receiver ring, slant box magazine, magnum length action, which was the original magnum length action built by Mauser Oberndorf to Rigby's specifications to allow the famous 400/350 Rigby cartridge to be used in a repeating rifle.

In the past, Rigby simply had such a rifle rebored and rechambered to .375 H&H, maintaining the original outside appearance.

Here is my .350 Rigby Magnum, lovingly restored by Lon Paul. No further comment is needed on his workmanship:

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