Gunmaker Blaser Jagdwaffen of Isny, Germany has purchased John Rigby & Co. with effect 1 March 2013. Blaser also owns J.P Sauer & Sohn and Mauser Jagdwaffen. Rigby’s production facilities will be moved from the USA to Isny and a custom shop run by Marc Newton and Patricia Pugh will be established in London.
The London shop will also host all the company’s historical records. Blaser’s Mauser division will provide Rigby, London with genuine Mauser barreled actions. Production will initially focus on bolt action rifles, but plans are being drawn up to once again offer double rifles. Shotguns do not appear to form part of the present strategy. According to Blaser the new Rigby plant still has to be erected on the chosen site and production will only commence upon its completion, but it is expected within months.
