In celebration of its 250th anniversary in 2025, John Rigby & Co., Britain’s oldest gunmaker, proudly announces the release of Rigby Resurrection: The definitive account of a gunmaking legacy reborn. This landmark publication commemorates a quarter-millennium of craftsmanship and chronicles one of British gunmaking’s most extraordinary comeback stories.
This exceptional, limited-edition book, authored by Rigby’s managing director Marc Newton and renowned firearms historian Diggory Hadoke, has been brought to life through the lens of award-winning photographers Simon K. Barr and Terry Allen. The volume captures the long, storied history that has defined the brand since 1775. It details Rigby’s remarkable transformation from a box of papers in the back of a car in 2013 to a thriving powerhouse at the forefront of British gunmaking today, culminating in Rigby’s milestone anniversary celebrations in 2025.
Bound in durable canvas to withstand the rigours of any adventure, this exquisite coffee-table tome weighs nearly 3kg and spans almost 350 pages. Readers will journey from the misty Scottish Highlands to the sun-drenched African plains, witnessing Rigby guns in their natural habitats and the spirit of adventure that has defined the brand.
Beyond stunning imagery, Rigby Resurrection reveals the human stories at the heart of Rigby’s revival: the master craftsmen preserving centuries-old techniques, the visionaries driving the brand’s resurgence, and the passionate clients who have become part of the extended Rigby family.
Marc Newton, managing director of Rigby commented: “Celebrating 250 years as Britain’s oldest gunmaker is a milestone few can imagine and needs to be marked with the reverence it deserves. Rigby Resurrection is not just a chronicle of our revival, it is a tribute to each and every individual who shaped our legacy. This book captures the spirit, resilience, and passion that brought Rigby back from the brink, and I hope it inspires readers to become part of our ongoing story.”
Diggory Hadoke, firearms historian and Rigby archivist added: “I watched the whole Rigby revival from the beginning and it truly is a remarkable story. Working with Marc has always been a pleasure and from a personal perspective it has been nice to combine my usual obsession with old guns and archives, with the modern human stories that make up this narrative. I think we have produced something different and worthwhile which really captures the spirit of Rigby in the 21st century.”
Strictly limited to 1,000 copies, signed editions are available exclusively from Rigby. Each book is a rare collector’s item and is available to purchase now from the Rigby Shikar Store.
Rigby Resurrection: £150, plus postage and packaging.
For more information, visit: www.johnrigbyandco.com/rigby-resurrection
