Last year I had the opportunity to purchase what is quite possible the most important rifle I will ever get a chance to own. A John Rigby game scene engraved 450 NE Rising Bite.
H.H. The Maharajah of Udaipur (Fateh Singh's) Rigby collection was renown, a reflection of a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of excellence, adventure, and artistry. As a passionate sportsman and a man of discerning taste, he assembled a remarkable array of rifles from John Rigby & Co., each piece chosen not only for its technical superiority but also for its beauty and historical importance. At the heart of his collection stood this legendary .450 Rising Bite he poetically named "The Encircler," due to its devastating power on dangerous game. The Rising Bite was unmatched in craftsmanship and artistry in the early 1900's. Rigby made many guns for the Maharajah, each tailored to his royal exacting standards and used on his hunts across India and Africa. His collection was not merely a display of royal privilege, but a carefully curated tribute to the golden age of dangerous game hunting and the finest traditions of British gunmaking. This 450 Rigby Rising Bite holds a distinguished place not only in sporting history but also in the official records of John Rigby & Co. Listed and mentioned in the definitive Rigby company book.
This particular .450 Rigby Rising Bite stands as one of the greatest individual commissions in the history of bespoke sporting arms. Built on Rigby's legendary Rising Bite action and chambered in the legendary .450 cartridge, this rifle was a symbol of power, tradition, and artistry. According to Rigby's ledgers, this may very well be one a just a few, if not, the only game scene engraved 450 Rising Bite in existence. To capture its significance, Raj Singh and J. Rigby & Co. entrusted the work to none other, than master engraver Harry Kell. Harry Kell was truly a master of his craft, his work set the highest standard for artistry in British gunmaking. Active in the early 20th century, Kell was celebrated for his intricate game scenes, flowing scrollwork, and critical detail, bringing exceptional beauty to gun engraving. His collaborations with top makers like John Rigby & Co. earned him a lasting reputation as one of the finest engravers of not only his era, but of all time. His creations are still prized by collectors and sportsmen around the world. This gun is no acception to his lore, as Kell adorned the steel with beautiful game scenes: lions, leopards, and tigers.
Every detail of this double rifle was created and still embodies the spirit of gun craft, as well as the noble challenge between art, hunter, and God's creation. Possibly the only example of its kind, it remains not just a functional rifle, but a living heirloom of a Maharajah's vision — a rare intersection where supreme craftsmanship, personal legend, and the fierce beauty of the natural world are forever entwined.
H.H. The Maharajah of Udaipur (Fateh Singh's) Rigby collection was renown, a reflection of a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of excellence, adventure, and artistry. As a passionate sportsman and a man of discerning taste, he assembled a remarkable array of rifles from John Rigby & Co., each piece chosen not only for its technical superiority but also for its beauty and historical importance. At the heart of his collection stood this legendary .450 Rising Bite he poetically named "The Encircler," due to its devastating power on dangerous game. The Rising Bite was unmatched in craftsmanship and artistry in the early 1900's. Rigby made many guns for the Maharajah, each tailored to his royal exacting standards and used on his hunts across India and Africa. His collection was not merely a display of royal privilege, but a carefully curated tribute to the golden age of dangerous game hunting and the finest traditions of British gunmaking. This 450 Rigby Rising Bite holds a distinguished place not only in sporting history but also in the official records of John Rigby & Co. Listed and mentioned in the definitive Rigby company book.
This particular .450 Rigby Rising Bite stands as one of the greatest individual commissions in the history of bespoke sporting arms. Built on Rigby's legendary Rising Bite action and chambered in the legendary .450 cartridge, this rifle was a symbol of power, tradition, and artistry. According to Rigby's ledgers, this may very well be one a just a few, if not, the only game scene engraved 450 Rising Bite in existence. To capture its significance, Raj Singh and J. Rigby & Co. entrusted the work to none other, than master engraver Harry Kell. Harry Kell was truly a master of his craft, his work set the highest standard for artistry in British gunmaking. Active in the early 20th century, Kell was celebrated for his intricate game scenes, flowing scrollwork, and critical detail, bringing exceptional beauty to gun engraving. His collaborations with top makers like John Rigby & Co. earned him a lasting reputation as one of the finest engravers of not only his era, but of all time. His creations are still prized by collectors and sportsmen around the world. This gun is no acception to his lore, as Kell adorned the steel with beautiful game scenes: lions, leopards, and tigers.
Every detail of this double rifle was created and still embodies the spirit of gun craft, as well as the noble challenge between art, hunter, and God's creation. Possibly the only example of its kind, it remains not just a functional rifle, but a living heirloom of a Maharajah's vision — a rare intersection where supreme craftsmanship, personal legend, and the fierce beauty of the natural world are forever entwined.
