Mark Renmant, factory manager at John Rigby & Co., has been awarded this year’s McMillan Trophy for excellence in gunmaking by the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers. The award was presented by John Browning, master of the Worshipful Company, at its annual nomination dinner, a white tie affair held in the heart of the City of London on 1 November.
Mark has been with Rigby since January 2014, shortly after the historic gunmaker returned to London. Previously, he brought with him the benefit of more than 30 years working for Paul Roberts, a former owner of the firm. As well as producing work of the highest quality for Rigby, he has been and continues to be an invaluable guiding hand for many young gunsmiths starting out in the gun trade. In March 2016, Mark was one of five Rigby gunmakers to be commended by a Worshipful Company assessment panel for their work on an exquisite bolt action .275 London Best rifle built to commemorate Jim Corbett, the renowned hunter of man-eating big cats.
Rigby’s managing director, Marc Newton, commented: “We’re all extremely proud of Mark. He’s not only a highly talented craftsman, but is also a highly respected figure in the guntrade. Since our return to the UK, Mark has been instrumental in helping to build and bind together the top-class team we now have at Rigby and his technical input into the rifles we have produced has been exceptional. I couldn’t think of a more fitting person to receive this award.”