History

Today – As strong as ever

Having settled into our new country premises, we continue to build rifles under the J Roberts & Son brand name, and also offer fine Italian and French shotguns and good quality used British firearms. Our new rifle production ranges from calibre .17 to .505, using Mauser, CZ and McMillan actions. We can also build rifles on new Magnum Mauser actions, custom made for us by Reimer Johannsen of Germany.

2012 – Move to West Sussex

To further strengthen our business, our retail operation and workshop relocate to purpose-built premises in West Chiltington, near Billingshurst, West Sussex.

2000-2010 – The W. J. Jeffery age

From 2000 until 2010 we had the sole manufacturing rights for W. J. Jeffery & Co, one of Britain's most innovative gunmakers – having introduced some of the most popular big-game calibres such as the .404 and .500 Jeffery.

1997 – Rigby rights sold

In 1997 the Rigby rights were sold. Under the American owners, who bought the name in 2010, we resumed the manufacture of classic Rigby rifles – such as the original pattern .416s and .275s –  until the rights were sold to their current owners, the L&O Group.

1990 – Production reaches new peak

By 1990 the company was producing dozens of guns a year, specialising in large calibre double-barreled and bolt-action rifles, stalking rifles, and 'best' grade shotguns.

1984 – Eras begin and end

In 1984 J. Roberts amalgamated with John Rigby & Co – Britain's longest-established rifle makers – and assembled its own team of gunsmiths.

J Roberts & Co's founder, Joseph 'Pip' Roberts dies four weeks after this last known photograph was taken.

1970s – First J. Roberts .300 rifle

By the late 1970s, the company was making rifles for John Rigby & Co.

By the mid 1970s, in addition to dealing in pre-owned guns and rifles, the company began manufacturing brand new rifles and shotguns, with the first being a .300 J Roberts & Son rifle.

1960s – First forays into India

Paul Roberts (third from right) first travelled to india in the 1960s to buy up guns and rifles from the huge Maharaja collections. This continued regularly well into the 1980s.

1965 – Photo opportunity knocks

Joseph Roberts, with a pair of German Wheel Lock pistols, takes a walk in St George Street, Mayfair, London for a Daily Express newspaper article in June 1965.

1959 – J. Roberts & Co becomes J. Roberts & Son

Joseph Roberts' son and the current chairman and owner, Paul Roberts, joined the business in 1959

Picture (dated 1965): From left: Angela Roberts, Joseph Roberts, Rio and Paul Roberts in their gunshop in St Martins Lane just north of Trafalgar Square, London.

1953 – Founded

Founded in 1953 by Joseph 'Pip' Roberts (when the company was known as J. Roberts & Co). This photograph of Joseph Roberts was taken three years later in Milan.