The “Rigby Rookie”
Slade Stevens inspecting another immaculate rifle build.
John Rigby & Co. is more than just a fine rifle builder — to many sportsmen and women, it’s the epitome of old-school craftsmanship.
How old? According to John Rigby & Co., the Dublin, Ireland-born turned London, England transplant (1865) gun builder is the “oldest gunmaking firm in continuous existence in the English-speaking world.”
These days, they don’t build Rigby’s like they used to, though. They make them better, and folks like Slade Stevens are a big reason why.
Thus, it shouldn’t have surprised me when I stopped in John Rigby & Co.’s booth at the Dallas Safari Club last year and met the 20-something-year-old.
The tall, soft-spoken and ultra well-mannered young man told me all I wanted to know about the 9.3x62mm Mauser I held. He did so with the passion, wisdom and respect you’d expect from a legendary Rigby rifle gunsmith.
Slade knew every detail of the rifle so well you’d think he built it.
He did. Well, sort of. Rigby builds their rifles with teams of gunsmiths.
“Typically, we have between 15 to 20 gunsmiths,” informed Marc Newton, managing director of Rigby. “One of Rigby’s real strengths is our very youthful team. They’re very progressive, outward-looking and ready to try new things. At Rigby, we ensure all our team members have various skills so they’re not single-focused and can apply themselves to other tasks. This means we can be much more reactive as a team to get orders out.”
Meticulous Training & Building
Rigby is so dedicated to finding and building gunsmiths the old-school way, they created their own new school in 2022. Known as Rigby Academy and run by Thomas Le Jendre (who is also a Rigby gunmaker), it’s self-described as “a dedicated gunmakers’ apprenticeship program designed to preserve the traditional skills and methods used in gunmaking. The five-year apprenticeship mentors the next generation of craftsmen in the art of gunmaking, ensuring the continuity of these time-honored skills for future generations. Upon completion, successful graduates earn a Rigby gunmakers’ certificate and an opportunity to apply for a permanent position within the company.”
Why? Because John Rigby & Co. wants to build their gunsmiths the same way they build their rifles — meticulously.
“The process is designed to extract the best mechanical and artisanal skills, with a thorough market understanding. Our aim is not only to cultivate excellence in gun-making to become a great gunmaker but also to foster a deep appreciation for the evolving needs of the gun trade industry,” said Nelson Neto, Jr., head of production for Big Game and Highland Stalker rifles.
According to Neto, the training begins with hands-on experience in fundamental tasks such as filing and polishing and knowledge of gun mechanics. Apprentices then progress to mastering wood finishing, then assembling and finishing a complete rifle.
“Each step of this journey is carefully guided and evaluated,” he noted. “At the end of the training, apprentices present their work to an examination board for a thorough assessment. Upon successful approval, apprentices are then awarded their gunmakers’ certificate.”
Image: John Rigby & Co.
Emphasis On Youth By Design
Slade is one of a few rookies at Rigby, which is by design according to Newton.
“I love it,” Newton said. “I was 25 when I started Rigby, but I couldn’t get anyone older and super experienced to come and join me because I was a 25-year-old kid running what was basically a start-up with an old name, so it was only other youngsters who would give it a chance. I’m a massive believer in giving young people those same opportunities afforded to me.”
Not everyone can be a Rigby gunsmith. Nearly 100 apply annually, according to Le Jendre. A fact that makes Slade’s job at Rigby, even as a rookie, remarkable because it’s his first job as a gun builder — ever.
“I’ve always been interested in guns and hunting; my background in building and designing fueled my curiosity, but a career in this field was not something I dreamed possible,” Stevens shared. “To experience the whole process, from creating a gun to its being used for its purpose, is very rewarding. It adds a different level of connection to the entire experience.”
Connecting The Rifle To The Shooter
You see, “old school” at John Rigby & Co. isn’t about connecting to the past. It’s the ability to connect the rifle to the shooter. No amount of technology will build a soul into a rifle — it must come from the gunsmith.
“We try to really involve our customers in the build process. We don’t build guns for them, we build guns with them,” Newton remarked.
This is part of why Slade was selected — he’s got an old-school soul, albeit with a touch of bluegrass. He’s from Kentucky, which wasn’t even a state (1792) when John Rigby & Co., was officially founded in 1775 in Dublin.
What were the other reasons John Rigby & Co. hired Slade?
“Lots of things,” said Newton. “When he asked me if he was to move to the country, if we would help him get some hunting, I think it was the moment when I knew I had to give him a job. The thing we are very passionate about at Rigby is people who hunt. My guys enjoy getting out there and using Rigby rifles and Rigby products and mixing with different people. I think it brings a certain experience to all our guns.”
Slade’s interest in Rigby can also be credited to some old-school parenting.
“It was my dad who initially sparked my interest by sending me the job listing,” recalled Slade. “He is genuinely excited and fully supportive of my presence here. He’s delighted to see me contributing to a prestigious gunmaker like Rigby. My father owns a Single Square Bridge .416, and his enthusiasm for his gun led him to share the job posting with me on Instagram, expressing how cool it would be for me to work here.”
How did moving to England go over with Slade’s wife? Jolly well.
“My wife, being from West Sussex, particularly supports our decision to live in the UK,” said Slade. “We make trips back to the States once or twice a year, and my parents visit more often, as they love London, so we still have that family connection. My wife understands and backs my passion for the outdoors, making her a strong advocate for my role at Rigby. Overall, the decision to work for Rigby was influenced by the professional opportunities and the opportunity to be close to my wife’s family — an opportunity we couldn’t pass on.”
From Bluegrass To British Rock
Slade’s gunsmithing gig across the pond took a little explaining to his bluegrass friends.
“Initially, many had to look up information about the company, as it wasn’t immediately familiar to them,” he explained. “While some of my friends share an interest in hunting and shooting, I still have to explain the rich history of Rigby and the intricacies of what we do. The aspect that consistently surprises and shocks them is the caliber of our high-end rifles. For many who are looking to become first-time home buyers, comparing the cost of these rifles to buying a house is a common theme. Investing in a gun at a level comparable to a real estate transaction is novel to them.”
It isn’t novel to John Rigby & Co.’s primary audience though, who Newton describes as “adventurous, entrepreneurial types who appreciate the real things in life. Those who love going on an adventure, are passionate about Africa and really enjoy connecting with people. I think it’s very important — our team is all about the people, and this attracts a certain customer.”
Today, Slade continues to grow at John Rigby & Co. and Newton sees a bright future for him — he was recently promoted as head of Highland Stalker and Big Game sales.
“He’s worked his way up on the bench working behind Big Game rifles and is now about to begin in his new role in sales for our Highland Stalker and Big Game rifles,” said Newton. “He will be overseeing all the sales and the ordering of parts from Mauser, so it will become his baby.”
If you or someone you know is interested in joining Slade at John Rigby & Co., Le Jendre has some advice: “To pursue a career as a Rigby gunsmith, individuals can initiate the process by reaching out via email [rigbyacademy@johnrigbyandco.com]. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their CV, along with a cover letter and, if available, a portfolio showcasing their relevant work. We particularly welcome candidates aged between 19 to 25 years old, who possess fine handwork skills, and ideally, have some familiarity with guns. Our aim is to nurture the next generation of gunsmiths, and we eagerly await applications from passionate individuals.”
To learn more, visit johnrigbyandco.com.
