Every now and then, like the blind pig finding an acorn, we
stumble across an opportunity to experience something special in the world of
firearms with historical significance and importance. Such was the case for me
at the recent 2016 SCI Convention. The circumstances that unfolded were somewhat
unexpected and it was a great honor and experience.
I was meeting with my friend Marc Newton at the SCI Convention.
Marc is the Managing Director of John Rigby & Company. Marc’s team of London
craftsmen had begun working on a .275 Rigby restore and refurbish project of
mine a few months ago. As my timeline was not pressing, I had previously asked Marc to
move my project to the warming platter while they continued to focus their
attention on completing the 2nd of the World Heritage Rifle Series
being donated by John Rigby & Company for the SCI’s 44th Annual
Hunters’ Convention. Rigby was building a donation piece to celebrate the
Indian subcontinent while representing the .275 Rigby and Jim Corbett.
Jim Corbett is of course a writer, conservationist, and hunter known for
killing man-eating tigers in the Kumaon region.
The World Heritage Rifle Series is a five year
collaboration between SCI and premier rifle makers. It consists of five custom
built rifles that represent the very best of the gunmaker’s craft. They
represent one of the five hunting continents of the Americas, Africa, Asia,
Europe, and Oceania. The 1st rifle built in the series was to
celebrate Africa and was built by John Bollinger Sr. and Jr. The 2015 auction
sale of that rifle raised $140,000.00 USD for SCI projects. The 2nd rifle
to be crafted for the series, as shown above, is being built by John Rigby & Company
honoring Asia. It is built on a classic single-square-bridge Mauser action with
a 25 inch Classic Rigby barrel. The rifle has jungle themed engraving of
illustrations taken from Corbett’s books. It was scheduled for auction during the
2016 SCI Convention.
I had intended to meet with Marc, enjoy the beautiful
work done on the John Rigby London Best Corbett Commemorative Rifle and perhaps
chat some about my build project. I knew that Jim Corbett’s personal .275 Rigby
that was presented to him by Sir J.P. Hewett KCSI, Lieutenant Governor of the
United Provinces, in gratitude for killing the man-eating tigress of Champawat
in 1907 would also be present. It’s worth noting this tigress had killed a
reported 436 people. This is the same rifle that Corbett used in 1926 to kill
the infamous Rudraprayag leopard that had killed more than 125 people.
As luck would have it I would not only have the
opportunity to lay my hands on Jim Corbett’s personal .275 Rigby but also
another of his fine personal rifles. While chatting with Bill Jones he asked if
I would like to handle Corbett’s .450/400 double rifle. This rifle was used by
Corbett in Africa and India. It had been used to kill many man-eating tigers
for the Indian government. It was also used to kill the Thak man-eater shot by
Corbett in 1938, the last man-eater to be killed by Corbett. As a smile tore
across my face with a rush of excitement I of course could hardly contain
myself. The display case had already been opened and the Jeffery boxlock was
resting in my hands before I could wipe the silly grin off my face.
While rifles are a tool made from a piece of wood and steel being
able to see, feel, and hold history in your own hands is something that is always
difficult to describe. It is an experience that never dims and is always one
that I never forget. This was one of those moments for me as I rubbed the
stock, caressed the action and barrels as if they were alive, and threw the
rifle to my shoulder and looked over the sights. A sight picture and experience
that will be forever ingrained in my memory. It is something that I wish everyone
could experience. I snapped a few pictures to photographically capture the
moment with the .275 Rigby and the Jeffery .450/400 double but the photos do not do the experience justice.
The Rigby booth was alive and active during the convention. Rigby did a spectacular job presenting their work and hosting those who stopped by their booth. I received word that the auction for the John Rigby
London Best Corbett Commemorative Rifle was a success. The rifle sold for $250,000.00 USD at the 2016 SCI auction where it was jointly purchased by husband and wife Brian and Denise Welker. The rifle was auctioned with a
best-quality English leather case and accessories, a beautiful credenza built
by Julian and Sons, a set of Corbett books commissioned by Rigby, and an
original oil on canvas by David Southgate of the “Last Moments of the Champawat
Man Eater.”
A very successful convention for John Rigby & Company
and all those who were a part of the event. Jim Corbett National Park in India
will be receiving a donation from the proceeds of the Corbett book sales. Rigby
purchased the painting from Mr. Southgate who will be donating proceeds from
the sale to tiger conservation in Jim Corbett National Park.
The picture above is of Noel Maxx artistically posing with Jim Corbett's rifles at the SCI Convention Rigby booth. Noel is holding two of Corbett’s
wonderful and well known rifles. The rifles are the Jim Corbett W.J. Jeffery
boxlock in .450/400 3” used to kill many man-eating tigers and also the .275
rifle Jim Corbett was presented for shooting the man-eating tigress of
Champawat by Sir John Hewett. This rifle also accounted for many man-eaters by
Corbett. Noel is a huge fan of Jim Corbett and Rigby and came in touch with
Marc Newton of John Rigby and Company.
Noel lives in Texas and is a hunter conservationist.
Another treat for those who stopped by the John Rigby
& Company booth was the opportunity to see the debut of the Rigby Rising
Bite double rifle. Production of this double had stopped in 1910 due to the
rising cost to manufacture the rifle. Rigby has now resumed building this
iconic double rifle.
Special thanks and recognition:
Ryan Harris, Owner of Global Safari Films. Ryan operated our camera to capture several images on our behalf. http://globalsafarifilms.com/
Various Jim Corbett .275 Rigby & Rigby Rising Bite close-up photos and auction winner photo courtesy of John Rigby
& Co/Copyright John Rigby & Company, London, England, http://www.johnrigbyandco.com/
Auction photos Jim Corbett Jeffery .450/400 NE close-up photos courtesy of James D. Julia
Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine, www.jamesdjulia.com
