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

They only sold a total of 24 rifles in .500 Jeffery between 1927 and 1940, and of these 24, 21 were made by Henry Leonard in Birmingham, while the other three were completed by George Gibbs of Bristol, maker of the famous .505 Gibbs. Not to be outdone, Westley Richards completed a lone double in .500 Jeffery in 1937 as well.

Original .500 Jeffery rifles are extremely rare. They tend to end up in collections, never to reappear again, and are highly treasured. They also have a strange effect on some people. No names will be uttered here, but in one instance, a certain “collector” borrowed an original Jeffery .500 from its owner “just to take photographs” and replaced the action with another Magnum M98 action from a .404 that he had specially engraved for the purpose. The switch was discovered by a sharp-eyed gunsmith who alerted the rifle’s owner. Murder and carnage were avoided, albeit only just. Such depravity borders on the insane, it must be said.

Again, a 2002 .. Just curious how many rifles were built under the "W. J. Jeffery" name 1940-2023? If I'm wording this correct.
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Said rifle is now safely in the USA…
 
I love my Jefferys 404 with the 27" barrel for a number of years, but sold it and went on safari//
 
I'm just hung up on this thing.?. Love the flag safety.
 
I'm just hung up on this thing.?. Love the flag safety.
I love the M70 type flag safety. The three-position safe is unmatched for bolt rifles.
 
Lastly. To have Rigby build a 500 Jeffery, it would have to be on the "The London Best" model. Rigby's Modestly adorned with Case would be equal in price.

@W.J.JEFFERY & CO. .. Do you have any Printed Literature for sale on these?
 
Lastly. To have Rigby build a 500 Jeffery, it would have to be on the "The London Best" model. Rigby's Modestly adorned with Case would be equal in price.

@W.J.JEFFERY & CO. .. Do you have any Printed Literature for sale on these?
Thanks for your interest, we do have a printed brochure. If you PM me your address I can get one out to you. We are planing on introducing a few shop items this year.
 
That was really kind. A special thanks to Mr. Newgass & Co.
I thought these were interesting. This individual has almost every Mfr. original Vtg Catalogues.

 

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Same here. When I graduated from University of London in 1965, my father took me to the James Purdey & Sons store when he & my mother came to pick me up during my graduation. Ever since that day, I've dreamt of owning a James Purdey & Sons double rifle (preferably in .600 Nitro Express).

I don't think I'll ever succeed, but I think it's incredibly lowly & uncouth for people to belittle them simply because they are out of our budget.
I share your view . Through back breaking work over decades I have built a collection of double rifles by Purdey , H&H , Rigby and WR . I also really enjoy my Ruger Safari magnums and No 1 , CZ550 and various BRNOs. I use them all regularly no closet queens . However there is nothing remotely comparable to using a fine best grade double or bolt rifle . They really are a massive step up . I understand the pricing is breathtaking but there is a market for bespoke weapons as well as other brands of firearms .
 
I share your view . Through back breaking work over decades I have built a collection of double rifles by Purdey , H&H , Rigby and WR . I also really enjoy my Ruger Safari magnums and No 1 , CZ550 and various BRNOs. I use them all regularly no closet queens . However there is nothing remotely comparable to using a fine best grade double or bolt rifle . They really are a massive step up . I understand the pricing is breathtaking but there is a market for bespoke weapons as well as other brands of firearms .
Hey PCC600, may I see the Purdey please ? What caliber is it ?
 
Hey PCC600, may I see the Purdey please ? What caliber is it ?
HH the Purdey is a 303 deer stalking rifle . Jones underlever , non ejector , bolted safety made in 1898 for Viscount Chaplin a British land owner and Cabinet Minister . His father in law was the Duke of Sutherland . This rifle was kept at Dunrobin Castle in Scotland . It is in fabulous unrestored condition. I took a Chittal deer with it outside Brisbane in October. Also included photos of my other DRs . Purdey at bottom , then H&H Royal in 375 flanged magnum ( ex India ) , WR 450/400 NE sidelock ( ex HRH Fateh Singh Maharana of Udaipur ) , a JA Shirley 500NE with snap action under lever and rising bite which I commissioned in 2013. Have a Rigby 500 NE currently being built in London . All these rifles are often used and are proven killers.

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HH the Purdey is a 303 deer stalking rifle . Jones underlever , non ejector , bolted safety made in 1898 for Viscount Chaplin a British land owner and Cabinet Minister . His father in law was the Duke of Sutherland . This rifle was kept at Dunrobin Castle in Scotland . It is in fabulous unrestored condition. I took a Chittal deer with it outside Brisbane in October. Also included photos of my other DRs . Purdey at bottom , then H&H Royal in 375 flanged magnum ( ex India ) , WR 450/400 NE sidelock ( ex HRH Fateh Singh Maharana of Udaipur ) , a JA Shirley 500NE with snap action under lever and rising bite which I commissioned in 2013. Have a Rigby 500 NE currently being built in London . All these rifles are often used and are proven killers.
Good on you for using them! (y) (y)
 

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Grz63 wrote on Doug Hamilton's profile.
Hello Doug,
I am Philippe from France and plan to go hunting Caprivi in 2026, Oct.
I have read on AH you had some time in Vic Falls after hunting. May I ask you with whom you have planned / organized the Chobe NP tour and the different visits. (with my GF we will have 4 days and 3 nights there)
Thank in advance, I will appreciate your response.
Merci
Philippe
Grz63 wrote on Moe324's profile.
Hello Moe324
I am Philippe from France and plan to go hunting Caprivi in 2026, Oct.
I have read on AH you had some time in Vic Falls after hunting. May I ask you with whom you have planned / organized the Chobe NP tour and the different visits. (with my GF we will have 4 days and 3 nights there)
Thank in advance, I will appreciate your response.
Merci
Philippe
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Hey there could I have that jewelers email you mentioned in the thread?
VIGILAIRE wrote on wesheltonj's profile.
Hi Walden. Good morning from England, Chris here (The Englishman!) from Croatia. Firstly it was a pleasure to meet you and Michelle - a fellow Sanderson! I have finally joined AH as I enjoy it very much. Glad you enjoyed the hunt and your write up which I read on AR was very good indeed. I am sending on WhatsApp pics from Bojan of some of the animals hunted recently. Take care and best regards. CS.
 
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