BASC has teamed up with gun makers John Rigby & Co to host a reception event where people can discover the history of the gun maker and the life of one of its most famous clients – Jim Corbett.
At the event on May 19, guests will be invited to take a brief tour of the Rigby workshop in London before drinks and canapes are served in the showroom. There will be time to look at the firm’s new rifles, plus its collection of historic firearms, and to network before a presentation on the history of John Rigby & Co which will bring the guests up to the modern day and the firms’ resurgence in the UK over the past three years.
Dan Reynolds, BASC director South East England, said: “Established in 1775, John Rigby & Co. (Gunmakers) Ltd is one of the oldest continually extant gun making companies in the English-speaking world and is one of the last places in London where guns are ‘made out back and sold out front’.
“We are delighted to be working with the team at John Rigby & Co to host this event. It will be a rare opportunity to view the collection of fine English guns and to meet the craftsmen behind them. Rigby has such a rich history to explore, and intertwined with the memoirs of Jim Corbett, this event is a real must for an rifle enthusiast.
“Guests will have an opportunity to watch a film entitled “Jim Corbett: A Rifle’s Journey” which chronicles the making of Rigby’s stunning Corbett commemorative rifle, which sold for a record breaking $250,000 at auction earlier this year. The .275 was inspired by Jim Corbett’s own Rigby, which he used to despatch a number of man-eating big cats in early 20th-century India, and featured prominently in his best-selling memoirs. The original rifle will be on display in the showroom.”
Tickets for the event cost £35 per person, including drinks and canapes, and can be purchased from BASC South East on 01306 631378.