12/21/20 - This is a very rare and seldom seen John Rigby & Co. Heavy African Express rifle. The Heavy Express Rifle is a world-class bolt action rifle expressly made for hunting the world's largest dangerous game. This rifle was custom built by John Rigby & Co. (Paso Robles, CA) for a friend of Geoff Miller, who was affiliated with the ownership group of John Rigby & Co. at that time. The rifle was built in approximately late 2005. It has the provenance of being featured in the April 2006 Guns & Ammo article titled “Extreme Accuracy” by Craig Boddington, in which Boddington fired a 0.065” group at 100 yards w/Remington Premier factory ammunition (300 gr. Swift A-Frame bullets). A photo of this rifle and that target appear in the article. A copy of the article will accompany the rifle. The rifle features a Reimer Johannsen double square bridge magnum length action w/jeweled bolt body, a 24" Safari contoured barrel, a quarter rib rear sight with 2 folding/1 standing rear sight blades, a ramp front sight with pivoting sight hood/flip up night sight, a classic fancy English walnut stock with cheek piece with two steel cross bolts, an Ebony forend tip, and checkering with mullered borders. The length of pull is 14” with no cast. The butt is fitted with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. The metal features gold inlays of the company name/address, caliber, and serial number, as well as the Rigby crest on magazine floorplate. In addition, there are gold inlays on the rear sight blades; trigger guard and safety. The rifle weighs in at 11.9 Lb in the configuration shown. The overall condition is excellent. The rifle is has been fired minimally, however, it has NOT been hunted. The bluing on the metal is in excellent condition, overall about 98% condition. There is one small rub mark on the front of the floor plate as shown. The English walnut stock is excellent as well. There are some minor handling marks on stock. The bore is excellent, clean and shiny with strong rifling. The action functions fine. The rifle is equipped with a Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.5-6x42 scope. The last MSRP circa 2009 of base rifle was $33,500. Overall, a very impressive John Rigby & Co. Heavy African Express rifle.
