RIGBY’S TRAFALGAR: 250 YEARS CELEBRATED ABOARD HISTORIC WARSHIPS

Blending pageantry with purpose, Rigby’s landmark celebration in Portsmouth brought together global dignitaries, craftsmen and industry leaders for an unforgettable display of British gunmaking heritage and ambition.

In the storied annals of British gunmaking, certain evenings stand apart as a defining moment that captures not merely a celebration of heritage, but the vibrant promise of a tradition reborn. The recent 250th anniversary celebrations of John Rigby & Co., held aboard HMS Victory and HMS Warrior in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, constituted precisely such an occasion, a magnificent testament to a company that has not only survived two and a half centuries but has emerged from periods of uncertainty to reclaim its position at the pinnacle of global gunmaking.

The evening of May 16th, 2025, saw an impressive gathering of the international hunting and shooting fraternity against the backdrop of a perfect English spring evening, with clear skies and a gentle breeze setting an auspicious tone for the celebrations. Notable attendees included America’s first son, Donald Trump Jr., Nigel Farage MP and several Middle Eastern dignitaries including two Crown Princes. The guest list read like a who’s who of the gun and hunting world, with representatives from premier gunmaking houses across Britain and Europe, alongside celebrated gun writers and correspondents from publications spanning five continents.

Managing Director Marc Newton, the visionary who has helmed Rigby’s remarkable resurgence over the past twelve years, welcomed guests to the event beneath the shadow of HMS Victory, a vessel that shares the date it was ordered by the Royal Navy with the births of Rigby’s founder, John Rigby and Lord Admiral Nelson, all three in the same year of 1758. This poignant connection between three enduring British treasures set the tone for an evening choreographed with military precision, yet infused with the warmth and camaraderie that has characterised the Rigby experience throughout its history.

“Twelve years ago, Rigby in the UK was nothing more than some ideas in my head and a box of papers in my car,” Newton told the 250 assembled guests below whilst standing upon the poop deck of HMS Victory, his voice momentarily catching with emotion. “To see it now, to see all of you here, not as a group of individuals, but as one unified Rigby family, is without question the proudest moment of my professional career.”

The evening commenced with a tour of HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, where Rigby craftsmen and women demonstrated traditional gunmaking techniques amidst the atmospheric surroundings of the low oak-beamed gun decks. Visitors marveled as master engravers, stockers, and action filers practiced their art in the same candlelit conditions that would have illuminated Nelson’s quarters, creating a tangible link between past and present expressions of British craftsmanship.

At precisely 7:30pm, one of the evening’s most emblematic moments unfolded as Melissa Rigby, a direct descendant of founder John Rigby, proudly carried the company’s banner at the head of a spectacular procession. She was followed by the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the 7th Battalion The Rifles and the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish Regiment, with the specially commissioned John Rigby’s Gunmakers March, filling the evening air. Composed by Pipe Major John Calum MacKenzie, this stirring piece celebrated “the craft of gunmaking and the pride Rigby has in continuing the long line of tradition, whilst striving for betterment and progression in the industry.”

The transition from Victory to Warrior represented Rigby’s evolution through the Victorian era, a period that saw the company develop some of its most iconic firearms innovations. These included the famous Rising Bite action that continues to inspire awe among hunters and collectors today and the indomitable .416 Rigby cartridge.

The evening’s programme unfolded with characteristic Rigby panache, each element meticulously planned to balance historical reverence with forward-looking optimism. A Spitfire display represented another apex of British engineering excellence, not one but two of these iconic fighter’s graceful elliptical wings and thunderous Merlin engines providing a perfect aerial complement to the naval setting below, bathed in evening sunlight.

Throughout the event, The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, dressed and equipped as they would have been in the 17th and 18th centuries, provided a living tableau of the martial traditions that influenced early gunmaking. Their presence offered guests a window into the era of Rigby’s founding, creating a seamless connection between the company’s origins and its present.

Newton’s speech aboard HMS Warrior elegantly connected Rigby’s Victorian-era innovations with Britain’s role in shaping the modern world. “No country on Earth has shaped the modern world quite like Britain has,” he observed, “with the Victorians spearheading this remarkable period of human advancement.”

The dinner service aboard Warrior’s gun deck was a masterclass in quality British fare, featuring new English asparagus with Dorset crab, braised wild fallow shank, and a prune and Armagnac Bakewell tart, all paired with exquisite wine. Even here, the connection to authentic British tradition was unmistakable, with dishes that honoured both naval and hunting heritage washed down with some quality left bank claret, for good measure.

John Henderson, recently appointed as Managing Director of Holland & Holland, commented: “The Rigby journey has been a very impressive one. Being friends with Marc Newton for several years now, it is not surprising to see what he and the whole Rigby team have achieved, in the successful turnaround of their iconic British brand. Being brave, creative and hard working is no doubt a huge part of this success story.”

Earlier that week, Rigby hosted three exclusive VIP banquets in Nelson’s cabin aboard HMS Victory, where celebrated Michelin-starred game chef Mike Robinson served five sumptuous courses as the company unveiled its Victory Edition rifles. These unique masterpieces incorporate oak reclaimed from the oldest sections of HMS Victory whilst undergoing restoration. In the spirit of Rigby boyish fun, the theatrical ordering process became a spectacle unto itself. Each order was confirmed and celebrated as the customer shouted “Fire!” through Nelson’s cabin window to Lieutenant Colonel Simon West, who stood ready with a period cannon below. The resulting blasts proved so enthusiastic and numerous that the police on the naval base eventually halted proceedings at 11pm on the first night after receiving noise complaints from as far away as Southampton.

“The oak ‘V’ for ‘Victory’ you see inlaid by hand into the forend once formed part of this historic vessel,” Newton revealed to his inner sanctum of Rigby customers. “It has absorbed the footfalls of Admiral Lord Nelson, weathered fierce Atlantic gales, and trembled with the thunder of cannon fire that changed the course of nations.”

This masterstroke of brand alignment, connecting Rigby with perhaps the most iconic vessel in British naval history, exemplifies the company’s genius for blending heritage with innovation. Five percent of proceeds from each Victory Edition rifle will support

Victory’s ongoing restoration, creating a virtuous circle between these two legendary institutions forever.

Donald Trump Jr., a notable hunter and Rigby owner, was among the first to place an order and fire the cannon to confirm a Victory Edition. “What Rigby has accomplished this week isn’t just about celebrating history, it’s about making history,” he commented.

On the Friday night celebrations, Nigel Farage told the MailOnline: “Don Jnr is a Rigby customer, a great British firm celebrating their 250th anniversary. I support manufacturing excellence.”

What is perhaps most prodigious about the evening’s gathering, and indeed Rigby’s broader renaissance, is the attention the company has attracted to British gunmaking as a whole. The presence of global political figures, business leaders and heads of state from multiple nations represents a significant shift in how traditional gunmaking is perceived in the contemporary public eye. Rather than being relegated to museums or the nostalgic reminiscences of aging enthusiasts, Rigby has successfully positioned fine gunmaking and adventure as a living, thriving art form worthy of recognition at the highest levels of international society.

“What we’re witnessing is nothing short of a coup for the entire British gun trade,” observed Paul Roberts, former owner of Rigby and a veteran of the British gun trade. “When Crown Princes and political figures from across the globe travel to celebrate a gunmaker’s anniversary, they’re not just honouring Rigby, they’re elevating the perception of our entire industry. This kind of visibility creates a rising tide to lift all ships.”

The recognition from such prominent figures sends a powerful message about the cultural and economic significance of traditional gunmaking in modern Britain. In an era when much manufacturing has been outsourced to cheaper labour markets, Rigby’s success demonstrates that there remains substantial demand for authentically British-made guns of exceptional quality, a message that resonates far beyond the gun trade itself. Several attendees from adjacent luxury industries, including yacht building, watchmaking and bespoke tailoring, noted that Rigby’s example provides a blueprint for preserving and promoting traditional British craftsmanship on the global stage.

Throughout the evening, conservation emerged hand in hand with gunmaking as a central theme, reflecting Rigby’s long-standing commitment to wildlife preservation. Newton spoke eloquently about the company’s contributions to conservation initiatives worldwide, noting that over the past decade, Rigby has channelled more than one million dollars of its own funds into vital conservation projects across the globe.

This commitment was further exemplified in the evening’s gifts to guests, 250 unique bracelets crafted from melted-down snares recovered from African bushland. Created in partnership with Blood Origins, these Rigby branded mementos transformed implements of destruction into symbols of conservation, with proceeds supporting anti-poaching initiatives worldwide.

For many attendees, the celebrations marked the culmination of Rigby’s extraordinary comeback story, a narrative chronicled in the newly released book “Rigby Resurrection” by Newton and firearms historian Diggory Hadoke. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, the 350-page tome documents the company’s journey from near-extinction to its current status as Britain’s most prolific creator of Best guns and rifles.

It was clear on this special evening that Rigby has achieved something remarkable in not merely surviving but thriving in an era when traditional craftsmanship faces unprecedented challenges. The company now employs more gunmakers than at any point in its history, with production levels that would have been unimaginable a decade ago, all while maintaining the exacting standards that define a true “Best” gun.

Following an after dinner speech given by The Right Honourable The Earl of Yarmouth, the evening built toward its spectacular conclusion. Guests were ushered to the upper deck of HMS Warrior where the night sky awaited transformation. The air was filled with the stirring sounds of traditional Scottish pieces including “Highland Cathedral” and “79th Farewell to Gibraltar” performed by the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish Regiment in their distinctive Hodden Grey tartan.

The musical program culminated in a stirring rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” , a piece that could not have found a more fitting setting than aboard a historic warship of the same era. In a display of coordinated precision, the climactic cannon fire in the score was provided by actual artillery pieces operated by The Garrison Artillery Volunteers, while members of the Honourable Artillery Company’s Pikemen and Musketeers discharged period-accurate muskets from a flying bridge over the deck in perfect time with the music.

This spectacle served as the prelude to a firework display of such magnificent scale that, according to local reports, it was visible across much of Hampshire. Against the backdrop of Portsmouth Harbour, illuminated rockets and cascades of golden light and Rigby blue reflected off the water’s surface, creating an ephemeral cathedral of fire and light that served as a fitting tribute to a company whose own creations have always balanced artistry with function.

As the final embers of the fireworks faded into the night sky, the assembled guests were left with a sense that they had witnessed not merely a celebration of the past, but a bold statement about the future of British gunmaking. In an age of increasing automation and declining appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, Rigby stands as a beacon of excellence, proof that the values that built Britain’s reputation for manufacturing superiority remain not just relevant but vital. This evening transcended merely gunmaking and was truly a celebration of British craftsmanship, export, engineering and success.

“This celebration marks not just our past, but the beginning of our next chapter,” Newton told guests in his closing remarks. “To everyone who has contributed to making Rigby what it is today and what it will become tomorrow -thank you.”

What makes Rigby’s achievement particularly noteworthy is that it represents not a nostalgic recreation of past glories, but a vibrant, forward-looking enterprise that has reimagined the very concept of a British gunmaking house for the 21st century. While competitors have often defaulted to ever-decreasing production and ever-increasing prices, Rigby has pursued a more ambitious path, expanding its model range, investing in apprenticeships and embracing modern marketing with the help of world renowned communications agency Tweed Media. Rigby has now cultivated a global community of enthusiasts who see themselves as part of the Rigby family.

As the evening drew to a close with the haunting notes of a lone piper echoing across the historic dockyard, one could not help but feel that Rigby has accomplished something extraordinary, not merely surviving for 250 years, but emerging from recent decades of uncertainty to establish itself as the pre-eminent best gunmaker in the world. The night’s celebrations didn’t just honour a historic milestone; they declared in spectacular fashion that for British gunmaking, the golden age need not be confined to the past.

Those fortunate enough to witness this remarkable event departed with the understanding that they had participated in a defining moment for the British gun trade, one that positions Rigby not just as a custodian of tradition, but as a standard-bearer for a vibrant and sustainable future where craftsmanship, innovation and its people continue to flourish. The so-called “good old days” of British gunmaking may be fondly remembered, but as Rigby demonstrated with unmistakable clarity, the best days may still lie ahead.