1735
Founded in Dublin, Ireland by William & John Rigby.
1758
William and John Rigby, founded the manufactory of fine black powder firearms at 14 College Green, Dublin.
1784 – 1865
W. & J. Rigby operates out of 19 Suffolk Street in Dublin and later 24 Suffolk Street gaining notoriety for manufacturing fine dueling pistols and begins to develop percussion rifles.
1866
J. Rigby Co. opens a showroom in London at 72 St. James's Street and Manufacturing at 1 & 2 Ham Yard.
1874
John Rigby competes in the first “Championship of the World” Creedmor Competition participating on the Irish team placing first for the Irish and losing overall to the American team in New York by three points.
1887
John Rigby is made Superintendent of the Enfield factory and develops the .303 British cartridge and studies the development of “modernizing” various cartridge designs.
1890 - 1906
J. Rigby Co. is renamed John Rigby & Co. moving to 43 Sackville Street, London.
Dublin location is closed and John Rigby develops and introduces the .450 Nitro Express Double Rifle in 1897.
.275 Rigby is introduced and the .350 Express in 1899.
John Rigby is granted the Mauser Agency in the U.K and introduces the .350 Rigby bolt action rifle in 1898.
John Rigby & Co. firearms are widely used in India by the Maharajas and royalty and throughout the African continent by many of the early Ivory Trade hunters of notoriety — the venerable W.D.M. Bell and notable Indian Tiger hunter James Corbett.
1907
Due to demand on the African continent, John Rigby & Co. produces the .470 Nitro Express Double Rifle as their main big game rifle.
1912
John Rigby develops and introduces the .416 Rigby still renowned today as one of the best all time big game cartridges.
1916
John Rigby passes and Theodore Rigby takes the reins as Managing Director of John Rigby & Co.
1933 - 1968
Theodore Rigby passes and John Rigby & Co. is purchased by Messr’s. Vernon & Harris in 1935.
The grand British firearms trade suffers notably with the advent of the Second World War and many companies go out of business.
John Rigby & Co. survives the war years and moves to 32 King Street, London in 1955.
The company moves to 23 Sackville Street, London in 1963.
David Marx and Michael O’Shea purchase the company from the widow of Mr. Harris and by a Special Resolution, change the name to John Rigby & Co. moving the company operations to 13 Pall Mall, London in 1968.
1969 – 1988
Paul Roberts joins John Rigby & Co. in 1982 previously providing contract work during the 1970’s.
The business is moved to 5 King Street, London in 1984 Under the direction of Paul Roberts and David Marx, Rigby continues to produce fine firearms to clients world wide upholding the grand tradition and Rigby legacy.
1989 - 1997
John Rigby & Co. operates at 66 Great Suffolk Street, London until sold to a group of investors based in the United States in 1997.
1998 – 2010
John Rigby & Co. establishes production in the U.S. and under goes a re-organization eventually being acquired in 2010 by a partnership of enthusiasts dedicated to producing the finest firearms available today in the Grand Rigby Tradition.