Yes why not, what calibre takes your fancy?

[John Gryphon]

After more than 100 years, elite British gun maker John Rigby & Co has brought the boxlock rifle back into its range in the form of a side-by-side called Shikari that duplicates the origin design of the 1890s.

Each Shikari is hand made on order, customised for fit and taste for the buyer, and you have at least $79,000 set aside for something unique, you could be one of them.

Rigby toured the world last year for a series of invitation-only pre-release events for customers, the first of which was hosted by Australian distributor Pro-Tactical, showing off the first Shikari made and giving people the chance to talk to Rigby’s managing director Marc Newton and the new rifle’s designer, Jérôme Lanoue.

Tom Auger, director of Pro-Tactical, took eight orders for Shikaris from Australian customers on the night, some of them opting for the $105,000 Special Edition with Grade 9 Turkish walnut, upgraded engraving and a handmade oak-and-leather case.

The Shikari is an exquisitely built double-barrel rifle: a “Best boxlock double rifle [that] embodies the spirit of a bygone era, while exceeding the demands of the modern-day hunter,” according to Rigby.

“The Shikari is mirrored on the original designs of the Rigby boxlocks from the 1890s,” Marc Newton told Sporting Shooter.

“The team tried to reproduce it to exactly the same specifications. If you take a picture of one of the original rifles and compare it to those of today, they look identical.”

However, there is one difference, Marc says. This one is stronger than the original as a result of the design that Jérôme Lanoue came up with.


“To make it stronger, Jérôme used a solid action, similar to that of a side lock,” Marc said.

“Even though this element creates more work during the build process, the rifle’s strength will be appreciated for generations to come.”

“Before joining Rigby, Jérôme used to work as a gunmaker and stockmaker, exclusively building boxlock rifles, so he understands the design process inside out,” Marc said.

“Jérôme has been working on boxlock rifles for over 13 years and has developed specialist skills for working on these rifles.”

The Shikari is available in the classic calibres of 450/400NE, 450NE, 470NE and 500NE with barrel lengths specified by the customer.

 

[Longstrider]

Never buy a rifle you're not willing to see covered in mud and blood once in a while

 

[sh1kar]

 

[Klenchblaize]

I wonder what the deposit is. Be good to be on the waiting list as by the time it’s delivered one could sell at a profit.

K

 

[John Gryphon]

Never buy a rifle you're not willing to see covered in mud and blood once in a while

My Aussie cobber has a 375 Rigby and he takes it into the bush for deer,its what he bought it for....hunting not posing.

 

[Overlay]

I wonder what the deposit is. Be good to be on the waiting list as by the time it’s delivered one could sell at a profit.

K

Kb. I can’t even imagine the euphoria associated with actually owning a traditional English made double, sweeping you back a few years just by picking it up, the weight the balance combined with the colonial smell of stock oil and steel
It’s what dreams are there for sheer quality workmanship
I used to stand in wilson and Wilson’s Ramsgate and just try up one or two just staring, wishing