W.J.JEFFERY & CO. Hand Crafted Big Game Rifles

[WAB]

British gun making has become the realm of luxury goods. While I am sure that these rifles are fine indeed, they are luxury goods and priced accordingly.

I do not believe that UK rifle makers have any special magic... many American makers are just as good. In fact. I believe that the top rifle builders in the US are as good as (or better) than any rifle builders in the world - excepting, perhaps, Hartman & Weiss, maybe.

I am unwilling to buy goods, especially 'luxury' goods at inflated prices, when i can buy as fine a rifle for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price. Sorry.

It all depends what you want. Years ago I was in the H&H factory visiting with the manager. He mentioned that the Sporting O/U had 1000 hours of craftsman time in it. At that time it was selling for $40k US. They barely broke even on those guns. It’s the hand work that sets them apart. If a US maker put 1,000 hours into a gun, he would have to charge every bit as much.

As a tool, your production Winchester/Browning/Beretta will get the job done. How far beyond that you want to go is dependent on personal taste and pocketbook.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Yeah as soon as you add hand work into anything the cost goes up real fast. The only problem I have with these Jeffery rifles is the stocks are just generic dimensions, from memory when I enquired you could choose LOP dimensions but thats it. I can go buy a custom Rigby with a full custom stock to my dimensions for the same price or less.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

British gun making has become the realm of luxury goods. While I am sure that these rifles are fine indeed, they are luxury goods and priced accordingly.

I do not believe that UK rifle makers have any special magic... many American makers are just as good. In fact. I believe that the top rifle builders in the US are as good as (or better) than any rifle builders in the world - excepting, perhaps, Hartman & Weiss, maybe.

I am unwilling to buy goods, especially 'luxury' goods at inflated prices, when i can buy as fine a rifle for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price. Sorry.

@Nevada Mike
When we visited the H&H shop in London a royal double was a mere £260,000 and a 270 on a Mauser action was a mere £39,000.
Being the person I am I told my wife my 350 dollar 270 will kill game just as dead and is probably more accurate. My 270 became my Whelen and now kills game even deader than the 270
Bob

 

[Daniel Cary]

There's no way this rifle costs more than the other custom makers to make. You're paying $10,000 for the rifle and $78K for it to say W.J. Jeffrey in bank note engraving on the side. I guess to some people that's important. A historic piece that has some provenance, sure. But a brand new rifle... nope. It's never going to be worth that much.

I was wondering .. if that's what is boils down to. Personally, like there's not endless layers of options. However, I stated, (generally speaking). "You may want to get a quote"

 

[Nevada Mike]

@Nevada Mike
When we visited the H&H shop in London a royal double was a mere £260,000 and a 270 on a Mauser action was a mere £39,000.
Being the person I am I told my wife my 350 dollar 270 will kill game just as dead and is probably more accurate. My 270 became my Whelen and now kills game even deader than the 270
Bob

I’ve been to most top gunshops in London and Paris. I love classic double guns and own a number of them. A Brit sidekick ejector from a good maker can be a wonder to shoot with. Fitted and built to suit, with carefully distributed weight for lively movement, barrels filed and regulated for the desired shot charge, and perfect finish. That approaches art. A bolt action (even a Mauser) rifle does not approach this level of handwork and refinement. Just doesn’t.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Just out of curiosity & the cost of a new W.J. Can anyone justify a $75K Rigby?
Thank you.

Best Bolt Rifle 450 Rigby for sale

Best Bolt Rifle 450 Rigby for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Just out of curiosity & the cost of a new W.J. Can anyone justify a $75K Rigby?
Thank you.

Best Bolt Rifle 450 Rigby for sale

Best Bolt Rifle 450 Rigby for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

With this one you are paying for a lot of engraving, all that engraving will have been done by hand, thats where the cost is. Also thats a single square bridge but they have it advertised as a double square bridge. To me it looks like a Big Game model with significant upgrades, for me this specific rifle is not worth 75k, for the same money you could order a bespoke London best.

 

[Daniel Cary]

With this one you are paying for a lot of engraving, all that engraving will have been done by hand, thats where the cost is. Also thats a single square bridge but they have it advertised as a double square bridge. To me it looks like a Big Game model with significant upgrades, for me this specific rifle is not worth 75k, for the same money you could order a bespoke London best.

Thank you .. I thought it was Rigby's "London's Best" to begin with.

However, that's clear. I recall talking to a distributer where a $100K was spent in engraving on a $15K double .. no limits to one's imagination, I suppose.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Is this really a $10K Rifle with an $80K price tag?

Thank you.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Is this really a $10K Rifle with an $80K price tag?

Thank you.

The Jeffery or the Rigby? Why do you say its a 10k rifle with an 80k price tag

 

[Daniel Cary]

The Jeffery or the Rigby? Why do you say its a 10k rifle with an 80k price tag

Someone stated that above, I'm sure they meant it partially facetious ..

 

[WAB]

As the owner of a highland stalker, I can tell you with certainty that the HS or Big Game are not in the same league as a London best. And yes, I would put the Jeffery rifles in the London best class.

It all depends on what you want and can afford. However, don’t denigrate the pinnacle of the gunmakers art just because there may not be one in your future. I will never own one, but I certainly appreciate them for what they are.

 

[Daniel Cary]

As the owner of a highland stalker, I can tell you with certainty that the HS or Big Game are not in the same league as a London best. And yes, I would put the Jeffery rifles in the London best class.

It all depends on what you want and can afford. However, don’t denigrate the pinnacle of the gunmakers art just because there may not be one in your future. I will never own one, but I certainly appreciate them for what they are.

It's magnificent imo .. Some of the above comments could never justify it, but that's in the eye of the individual. A "Londons Best", in .500 I'm sure would cost the same, unadorned.

Congrats on the Highland Stalker. That's another timeless piece, imo.

 

[Red Leg]

As the owner of a highland stalker, I can tell you with certainty that the HS or Big Game are not in the same league as a London best. And yes, I would put the Jeffery rifles in the London best class.

It all depends on what you want and can afford. However, don’t denigrate the pinnacle of the gunmakers art just because there may not be one in your future. I will never own one, but I certainly appreciate them for what they are.

It is one of the most common and unappealing human traits. This forum is full of my X at one tenth the price is just as good as his Y. I shoot my inexpensive whatever better than anyone else can shoot their more expensive choice. It is true whether we are talking guns, watches, or whisky.

I will never spend the money for a London Best SxS, but I can certainly recognize them for the unique craftsmanship they represent. I actually feel sorry for those who can't.

 

[Daniel Cary]

It's as simple as that .. Lord is that beautiful! Merry Christmas.

 

[lockingblock]

Is this really a $10K Rifle with an $80K price tag?

Thank you.

The reality is that all of the big name rifle makers are basically doing the same thing.

Rigby is buying basic machine made Mauser barreled actions, adding a few aesthetic upgrades and wood…and charging 25k.

In an era of CNC tooling that can measure in microns…it’s long past time to reassess the rifles and costs.

 

[WAB]

The reality is that all of the big name rifle makers are basically doing the same thing.

Rigby is buying basic machine made Mauser barreled actions, adding a few aesthetic upgrades and wood…and charging 25k.

In an era of CNC tooling that can measure in microns…it’s long past time to reassess the rifles and costs.

You are completely incorrect in this assumption. What you describe is a rough and uncomplimentary approximation of what Rigby is doing with the Highland Stalker and
Big Game. It in no way represents what goes into a London Best or the Best grade rifles from non-London makers like Westley Richards or Jeffery. I would suggest a trip to one of the production facilities before you state with authority how these weapons are made.

There’s nothing wrong with preferring to put your resources elsewhere and hunt with a M70 or CZ. However, it is a sad thing to criticize the pinnacle of gunmaking with incorrect assertions.

 

[Rare Breed]

It is one of the most common and unappealing human traits. This forum is full of my X at one tenth the price is just as good as his Y. I shoot my inexpensive whatever better than anyone else can shoot their more expensive choice. It is true whether we are talking guns, watches, or whisky.

I will never spend the money for a London Best SxS, but I can certainly recognize them for the unique craftsmanship they represent. I actually feel sorry for those who can't.

i rarely see people think “just as good” which to me would just be ignorance, envy or both. I like you wish i could afford a London Best but never will. i have tremendous respect for hand made rifles and admire them greatly. To me they are worth every penny and the best should require their price which has been well earned

 

[Phil Giordano]

The reality is that all of the big name rifle makers are basically doing the same thing.

Rigby is buying basic machine made Mauser barreled actions, adding a few aesthetic upgrades and wood…and charging 25k.

In an era of CNC tooling that can measure in microns…it’s long past time to reassess the rifles and costs.

I disagree, as in my opinion (and my personal experience) a Rigby - or a Jeffery - worth every single penny

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

For me the most important thing to remember is the value is in the eye of the beholder. Should hear some of the comments I have had recently when I bought my new Rigby .