Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa New Karamojo Bell Book

Pre-war Rigbys in .275 bore, didn't have the sights,barrel,stock, or bolt handle like that frankenstein mauser you point out.

This is an actual Rigby .275 once owned by WDM Bell. He purchased six of them over the yrs, this particular one
ordered/sold in 1922-23. His last ivory safari was some yrs prior to that purchase.

The scope is a Lyman Alaskan 2.5x fitted at the request of PH Harry Selby, side-mount screws were already installed when the rifle
was obtained from Westley Richards, London. . If I understand correctly, the rifle ended up at WR as part of the WDM Bell estate.







The only elephant that I know of which that .275 has killed, was the one taken by 14 yr old Gail Selby, while guided by her father,
in northern Botswana....Heart-shot from 80yd, made it about 40yd before collapsing which is about ballpark. Bell writes that
heart-shot bulls would typically go 20-60 yds before going down.

That rifle has been used by Robert Ruark(who purchased it from WR), Harry Selby, Mark Selby and naturally Gail Selby, to take
elephant, buffalo and a host of plains game. Mark who was given it by Ruark, later moved the rifle onto Holland & Holland where
its whereabouts then became unknown. Most recent known owner is said to be a Mr.Mike Evans, who has also hunted with it in Africa.