Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters NEW FIND No. 14 BREVEX - AN ORIG POST WAR JOHN RIGBY BIG GAME RIFLE IN 416 RIGBY CALIBER

WELL, I FINALLY FOUND No. 14 BREVEX - WHAT A FIND - AN ORIGINAL POST WAR JOHN RIGBY BREVEX IN 416 RIGBY CALIBER - CASED WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES.

Brought over ...... As you may have noticed, I haven't posted in a while because I have not found any new treasures worth mentioning ... until now ....

I had been diligently searching to add another Brevex to my collection. Its been over a year that #13 was added in September of 2022, I was worried that I was stuck on "unlucky 13" forever. But not so .. and what a treasure this one turned out to be. Near as I can tell its never been hunted and appears unfired. It was purchased by Gastinne Renette for one of their customers back in 1971. Gastinne Renette of Paris is a maker and specialist in the weapons of hunting and luxury. Their quality is on par with Holland & Holland, Purdey and Boss & Co.

Why this gun remained in such unused condition for over 52 years in unknown - perhaps a collected safe queen. Searching internet history shows it was sold by Holt's Auction House in England in 2015. Apparently it remained stuck in "red-tape" export laws for the last 8 years - until finally imported to the the U.S. this year.

Its a real treasure for me to have a an Original John Rigby in 416 Rigby cal., and even more treasured because its a rare Brevex action. Emails with Diggory Hadoke, the Rigby Archivist, was told by Paul Roberts, who was in charge of Rigby at the time this rifle was made, that only four .416 rifles were made on French Brevex actions. (sourced from Giles Whittome) He went on to say that between 220 to 230 Big Game 416s were made on CZ actions and 40 to 50 were made on Magnum Mauser actions, many recycled from .350 cal.

This is now the top treasure in my 14 piece Brevex rifle collection. But I did discover a negative - although the scoped rifle weighs only 11-1/2 pounds, the rifle in the case weighs over 41 pounds. I guess the 30 pound airline travel case is made to protect the rifle in case of a plane crash.

... as always your comment are most welcome ...

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The 14 Brevex rifles collected to date ...

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Bloody good 👍. You have a great collection there!

Wow!
Every time you post, I get drool on my phone :⁠-⁠)

thanks for the reply

Piece of art that is.

This time you hit a grand slam home run!

Couldn't find a Tikka?

Just kidding. That is a collection I would only expect to see in a museum.

Fan-damn-tastic!

Beautiful rifle and collection. Now take it out and hunt a buffalo or elephant with it.

Simply outstanding! Great find. Pattern looks very true to this earlier .416. Regrettably not mine!

Thank you all for the your wonderful reply ....

Its been several days since it arrived here in Wisconsin ...... and I'm still "giddy" with joy over acquiring it.

I wish I wasn't 72 years old because that's too old to go to Africa and test it on big game.

I'll have to be satisfied with dispatching a Big Wisconsin Whitetail Buck next Fall .... and punching holes in paper targets.

I'll bet it is a hoot to shoot!

Looks great.

Darn nice rifle and great looking collection!

Congratulations on your new rifle.,truly a work of art.

Beautiful. I always enjoy seeing the firearms you acquire. Probably the research and history I enjoy as much or more. Those firearms are not bought and sold often!

Thank you all for the your wonderful reply

Beautiful rifle and a wonderful collection! Congratulations on your early Christmas present.

I don’t think you’re too old to go give Africa a visit with your beautiful Rigby. 70 is the new 40 and you are still young enough to go for it. 👍🏼

Evnin, that's when ya wish a rifle could talk. Awesome !!!! GWPGUY. 🐾👣🇨🇦

Grats, Buckstix, you sure do find some gorgeous rifles.

Since Africa is off the table, how about shooting a buffalo with one of those?

Hello, where do I find such a place for a buffalo hunt?

Free range buffalo (Bison) can be hunted in several western states. A friend has gone to South Dakota several times. IIRC Montana has a huntable population as well.