The Rigby Campfire

John Rigby and Co.
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Education
  • Updated Semimonthly

Welcome to the Rigby Campfire Podcast, your exclusive invitation to the heart of the world of Rigby. Join us as your host, Marc Newton, MD of John Rigby & Co, founded in 1775, talks to luminaries, experts, and adventurers in the realm of best gunmaking and hunting. From legendary PH’s to master-craftsmen, listen to captivating stories, insightful discussions, and the passion that drives those who share a deep love for the art of handmade guns and hunting. The Rigby Campfire Podcast is your source of inspiration in the pursuit of gunmaking excellence and unforgettable adventures in the field.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep. 35 - Driven Grouse Shooting

    Episode 35 of the Rigby Campfire podcast comes to you from the heart of the action, recorded in a grouse butt in the south of Scotland as award-winning engraver and dear friend of Rigby Karen Wallace loads for Marc Newton. Two and a half days into a fantastic week on the moors, Karen shares the story of her journey from goldsmith to gun engraver, including the rather memorable mishap that marked her first engraving job. She and Marc discuss the challenge of carving steel, the relationship between beauty and function, and the work that earned Karen the prestigious Jacques Cartier Award for Excellence at the 2023 Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards. The winning piece was a meticulously carved steel scroll magazine floor plate for a Rigby bolt-action rifle. It was the first time the award had been presented for a piece made from neither gold nor silver, and the first gun-engraving entry to receive the honour. Believed to be the first podcast recorded in a grouse butt during the season, the episode also captures the atmosphere of a day on the moor, with exciting flushes, fast, wild birds flying overhead and the lightning-fast reactions they demand.

  2. Sep 11

    Ep. 34 - Celebrating the Glorious Twelfth

    In episode 34 of the Rigby Campfire podcast, Marc Newton sits down on the side of a Scottish glen with his sister and Rigby Chief of Staff, Michelle Carter, to reflect on a Glorious Twelfth spent shooting in Glenalmond and at their family home in nearby Edradour. Their conversation explores the traditions that make the opening day of the grouse season so special: arriving the night before, the sound of the piper coming up the drive in the morning, a hearty breakfast and a picnic hamper that over the years has grown to a size that requires four-people just to carry it. They also discuss the careful management behind Britain’s grouse moors and their importance to the rural communities of Scotland and northern England. Above all, this is a story of family and the people who bring the day to life. With Michelle carrying their grandfather’s 12-bore, her son Ted taking his first grouse and Marc’s wife Katie doing the same, the day offered a poignant glimpse of a much-loved Newton family tradition passing to the next generation. Stream or watch the latest episode now, wherever you get your podcasts, and enjoy a slice of British fieldsports tradition.

  3. Aug 20

    Ep. 33 - A Lost Paradise & Purna Giri and Its Mysterious Lights: Jungle Stories, Chapters 3 & 4

    Step back into the world of Jim Corbett as Rigby's managing director Marc Newton reads Chapters Three and Four from the only known original copy of Jungle Stories, Corbett's legendary collection of hunting stories. In Chapter 3, A Lost Paradise and Chapter 4, Purna Giri and its Mysterious Lights, Corbett reflects on places that left a lasting impression on him, taking listeners to the foothills of the Himalayas through his vivid descriptions and evocative storytelling. From landscapes transformed by time to the enduring mystery surrounding the lights of Purna Giri, these chapters reveal Corbett's deep connection to the people, wildlife and wilderness of northern India. Settle in around the campfire and listen in as Marc shares Chapters Three and Four of this extraordinary collection of tales from a true storytelling master.

  4. Aug 13

    Ep. 32 - The Fish of My Dreams: Jungle Stories, Chapter 2

    Our special Jungle Stories series continues as Rigby’s Director of Operations Steven "Monty" Monteith reads Chapter Two of the book, transporting us to India in the 1930s and 40s.  In The Fish of My Dreams, Corbett turns his attention to the rivers of northern India, sharing his love of mahseer fishing and the unforgettable landscapes in which he pursued the great fish. Rich with vivid descriptions of the jungle and its wildlife, the story captures Corbett's gift for finding wonder in the natural world and reminds us that, for him, the experience was always about far more than the catch itself. Recorded from the original manuscript that now sits alongside Corbett's famous .275 Rigby rifle in the Rigby Museum, this series offers a rare opportunity to experience Jungle Stories as it was first written. Make sure you’re sitting comfortably and join Monty as he shares Chapter Two of Jungle Stories.

  5. Aug 6

    Ep. 31 - The Pipal Pani Tiger: Jungle Stories, Chapter 1

    In the first chapter of our Jungle Stories series, Rigby's managing director, Marc Newton, begins reading from the only known remaining copy from the original print run of Jim Corbett’s book.Chapter One is titled The Pipal Pani Tiger, and it’s a beautifully observed account that reflects Corbett's deep understanding of the natural world. As he follows the tiger's life from its earliest days, Corbett's remarkable powers of observation and storytelling transport listeners into the forests of northern India, where every track, call and encounter reveals another piece of the animal's story.Recorded from the only known remaining copy of the original Jungle Stories that now sits alongside Corbett's famous .275 Rigby rifle in the Rigby Museum, this series offers a rare opportunity to experience Jungle Stories as it was first written. Gather round the campfire and join us for Marc’s reading of the first chapter of this extraordinary manuscript.

  6. Jul 30

    Ep. 30 - Introducing Jim Corbett's Jungle Stories

    There are so many incredible stories woven into Rigby’s history and revival, and the ones about Jim Corbett are among the most evocative.In this special episode of the Rigby Campfire Podcast, Rigby's managing director Marc Newton shares the journey that brought two of the Rigby Museum's greatest treasures together: Jim Corbett's famous .275 Rigby rifle and the only known remaining copy from the original Jungle Stories print run.Marc recounts how the rifle was acquired by Rigby in 2016, before revealing the remarkable chain of events that led to the discovery of the Jungle Stories manuscript at The Game Fair. What followed was a remarkable act of generosity that ensured this rare piece of history would find its rightful home alongside the rifle, where it remains on display today.This episode sets the scene for our Jungle Stories podcast series. Over the coming weeks, Marc and Rigby’s Director of Operations Monty will read Jungle Stories chapter by chapter, bringing Corbett's original words to life and sharing a manuscript that very few people have ever had the opportunity to see, let alone read.Join us around the campfire as we begin the story behind the Corbett rifle, his manuscript and one of the most remarkable legacies in hunting and conservation literature.

  7. Jul 12

    Ep. 29 - A New London Address For Rigby - HQ Tour

    This episode of the Rigby Campfire podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of Rigby’s new London premises, as Managing Director Marc Newton is joined by Director of Operations Steven "Monty" Monteith for a tour of the building and a look at what this exciting new chapter means for the company. Recorded as they walk through the workshops, showroom, museum space and Rigby Academy during the renovation, the pair reflect on the journey to finding and developing the new home. Monty shares the practical challenges of transforming this former ballet school into a working gunmaking facility, with all of the logistical and security details considerations that entails. Along the way, they discuss how the new premises will improve the experience for customers visiting London, create better workflows for the team and provide space to train the next generation of gunmakers through the Rigby Academy. There are also plenty of stories from behind the scenes, offering listeners an insight into the day-to-day realities of moving one of Britain's oldest gunmakers into a purpose-built home fit for its future. Part conversation and part guided tour, this episode offers a rare glimpse inside Rigby's new headquarters and the people who have helped bring the project to life.

  8. May 25

    Ep. 28 - Graeme Wright - The Mystique & History of the Double Rifle

    For admirers of the British double rifle, Episode 28 of the Rigby Campfire podcast is essential listening. Marc Newton sits down with renowned double rifle authority Graeme Wright for a conversation that spans decades of collecting, shooting, studying and loading some of the world’s finest sporting rifles. A lifelong firearms enthusiast from Australia, Graeme traces his fascination back to the African hunting books he discovered in school libraries as a boy, before eventually buying, repairing and selling double rifles himself. Over the years, he has owned around 100 double rifles and built a reputation as one of the leading experts in the field, with knowledge earned through hands-on experience rather than theory alone. The pair discuss the enduring mystique surrounding British double rifles, from their elegant lines and balance to their deep association with African hunting and dangerous game. Graeme explains where double rifles truly excel in the field, particularly when it comes to the instantly available second shot, while also sharing practical advice for both newcomers and experienced shots looking to refine their technique. The conversation also explores Graeme’s landmark book, Shooting the British Double Rifle, now in its fourth edition after more than a decade of revisions, testing and development. Covering everything from modern Nitro Express cartridges to black powder rifles, the work fills a gap left by a traditional British gun trade that mastered building rifles but historically shared less knowledge about loading for them. From sights and scopes to regulation, recoil and rifle handling, this is a fascinating and deeply educational discussion with a man whose knowledge of British double rifles is almost without equal.

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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to the Rigby Campfire Podcast, your exclusive invitation to the heart of the world of Rigby. Join us as your host, Marc Newton, MD of John Rigby & Co, founded in 1775, talks to luminaries, experts, and adventurers in the realm of best gunmaking and hunting. From legendary PH’s to master-craftsmen, listen to captivating stories, insightful discussions, and the passion that drives those who share a deep love for the art of handmade guns and hunting. The Rigby Campfire Podcast is your source of inspiration in the pursuit of gunmaking excellence and unforgettable adventures in the field.

Information

  • Creator
    John Rigby and Co.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Rigby and Co.
  • Show Website
    The Rigby Campfire

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