The early Rigby rifles competed in some of the trials of small-bore rifles held by the National Rifle Association for the rifles to be used in the finals of the Queen’s Prize at Wimbledon. In 1865 the Rigby was selected for use; this was the only year 1860-1870 that a rifle other than a Whitworth was selected. In direct response to the success of the Gibbs-Metford rifle with its shallow groove rifling and hardened bullet, Rigby began a program of rebarreling in 1866 and 1867.
Category: Gunmakers
Historical information on gunmakers; primarily those associated with long range target rifles.
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John Rigby, Dublin, Ireland
INDEX. Rigby muzzle loading and later breech loading long range match rifles were famously used by Ireland in international shooting competitions against America.
Breech-loaders V. Muzzle-loaders
On Saturday, July 31st, a very interesting competition took place in the presence of Major Sir C.S.Paul Hunter, Bart., between Corporal Bainbridge and fourteen picked men of the battalion using long Enfield rifles and three men using the Soper direct-action breech-loader.
The Soper Rifle
The rifle invented by Mr. W. Soper, of Reading, was one of the number sent for the recent competition at Woolwich, and was rejected on the ground of “complication of breech arrangement.” In this rifle the breech-piece is formed of a block of steel, working freely up and down in a vertical slot at the rear of the barrel, and secured to a lever fixed at the bottom of the lock, which is placed in the center of the stock. The striker is mounted inside the breech-piece, and works easily without any spring. The cock is also secured to the breech lever in such a manner that the breech-piece and cock are worked simultaneously.
The Soper Rifle Factory – In Liquidation
Mr. George Russell Butler has received instructions from the Trustee of Mr. William Soper’s Estate to Sell by Auction, at the above Factory (which adjoins the Great Western Railway Station at Reading), on Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th of July, 1881, at 11 for 12 o’clock punctually each day, and exceedingly valuable and complete Machinery, Special Tools, Stock in Trade and Effects, comprising the entire contents of the factory and of the retail shop in Friar-street.
William Soper, Reading, England
INDEX. Manufacturer of a single shot breech loading rifle, renowned for its rapidity of fire.
George Gibbs
George Gibbs carried on for a great many years the business of a gunsmith in Bristol, which is still in the hands of his family, and at the time of the commencement of the Volunteer movement in 1859, he probably knew more of the manufacture and use of weapons for warfare than anyone in the Bristol District.
Obituary: George Gibbs
Another aged and respected citizen has been withdrawn from amongst us by the death of Mr. George Gibbs, the well-known gun and pistol manufacturer, of Corn Street and St. John’s bridge, which sad event occurred yesterday, at his residence, Park place, Clifton. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 72nd year, had been ailing for some time, but the painful illness to which he succumbed was of comparatively brief duration.
George Gibbs, Bristol
This large business was founded some fifty or sixty years ago in Thomas Street, and from there was subsequently transferred to 21, Clare Street. In 1858 the firm removed to their present premises at 39, Corn Street. The manufactury, Rupert Hall, St. John’s Bridge, was built in 1875, and the tools and appliances there are most perfect. Mr. George Gibbs has a national reputation for first-class guns and rifles, and his house is one of the very few establishments outside of London and Birmingham where guns and rifles are manufactured throughout.
Gibbs & Metford
The Small Arms Committee at the War Office has adopted the Metford rifle (with some modification in the addition of a magazine on the Lee principle) as a rifle for the British army. For the last 21 years – ever since Mr Metford brought it out as a muzzle loader – it has been the favourite weapon of the crack shots in the national rifle competitions, and from the time it was converted into a breechloader it has won its way to the very first rank.
George Gibbs, Bristol, England
INDEX. Manufacturer of the muzzle loading Gibbs-Metford rifle and the breech loading Gibbs-Farquharson-Metford rifle.