Celebrating 250 years with Britain’s oldest gunmaker

John Rigby & Co, Britain’s oldest gunmaker, is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2025 with a series of events and the launch of exclusive special-edition rifles. 

For the milestone, Rigby will host celebrations aboard HMS Victory and HMS Warrior at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in May 2025. Lord Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, will be transformed into a Rigby workshop, featuring live demonstrations by master craftsmen, followed by a gala dinner on HMS Warrior. 

Rigby will also unveil unique rifles incorporating wood from HMS Victory, alongside 250 limited-edition versions of its award-winning Big Game and Highland Stalker rifles, engraved to celebrate the anniversary. 

Marc Newton, managing director of Rigby, commented: “As we celebrate Rigby’s 250th anniversary, we’re not just honouring our past but fuelling the spirit of adventure for generations to come. Our guns are crafted for those who dare to explore, to push boundaries and to write their own chapters in the history books. For two and a half centuries, Rigby has been synonymous with craftsmanship. As we look to the future, we’re committed to upholding our legacy as a Best London gunmaker while inspiring new tales of daring and discovery.”