British hunters Jim Corbett and Karamojo Bell are perhaps two of the most iconic dangerous game hunters of the early 20th century and, perhaps, of all time. While the men are famous for hunting different species — Corbett tackled tigers and Bell pursued elephants — they both shared a common affinity for smaller caliber Rigby rifles.
Jim Corbett rose to fame for taking out man-eating tigers that were terrorizing people in India. Bell made his mark as being one of the most accomplished elephant hunters in Africa, with some 1,011 of them to his name. Simply put, these hunters are in a class of their own and are highly revered to this day.
Founded in 1775, John Rigby & Co have established a reputation as the makers of some of the world’s finest rifles that money can buy. The Rigby Highland Stalker rifles, inspired by Corbett and Bell, are no exception. The idea for this model was spurred by the exceptional response from the public to the commemorative rifle made in honor of Jim Corbett. The company realized that the public was hungry for vintage-looking rifles. So, they set out to create one that was worthy of the John Rigby & Co name.
The design, based on the look of a classic rifle chambered in .275 Rigby, took three years to perfect before being made available to the public in 2017. While wait times for a custom Rigby Highland Stalker rifle can be long, you can jump the line and bring one home in the August Collection of Collectors Elite Auctions.
Rigby Highland Stalker
Despite being known for large bore dangerous game rifles, the company harkened back to the comparatively small-bore guns used by Jim and Karamojo with the creation of the Highland Stalker. John Rigby & Co regard the Scottish Highlands as being the birthplace of deer stalking. Since this gun was designed as a traditional deer stalking rifle, it made perfect sense for this model to bear the Highland Stalker moniker.
Built on the tried-and-true Mauser 98 action (Mauser is a long-time partner of Rigby), base model Highland Stalker rifles can be had in the shooter’s choice of five different calibers and feature grade 5 wood, traditional Rigby pattern iron sights, an ambidextrous stock, rounded grip shape, hand-finished checkering and original-style engraving.
Available on Collector’s Elite Auctions
The rifle offered in the August Collection is no base model. This gun is a Rigby Highland Stalker Leopard rifle chambered in 30-06 Sprg., and it is simply remarkable. For starters, the stock is made from wood that is more finely figured, rating a grade 7 instead of a grade 5. This stock is absolutely stunning; you’ve got to look at photos because words just don’t do it justice.
The model gets its Leopard designation because the German-made action is 100 percent embellished with leopard spots, right down to the safety lever, bolt handle and floor plate. Even the bottom metal screws are sporting a few spots! Like the wood in the stock, it must be seen to be believed.
While the action is drilled and tapped for mounting a scope, it comes from the factory wearing traditional Rigby pattern iron sights, which are regulated at 65, 150 and 250 yards.
Complementing the action, which feeds from a 4-round box magazine, is a beautifully blued 22-inch barrel. The length of pull is 14.75 inches, with an overall length of 43.5 inches. The gun’s slim lines and lightweight frame make it a superbly proportioned rifle that is well suited for full days of hunting.
Sure, you could approach Rigby and have them craft a Highland Stalker rifle that is tailor-made for you, but it won’t be like this one. The Leopard model is part of an exclusive limited edition that is only available in The Fine Gun Room at The Sporting Shoppe, along with Collectors Elite Auctions.
