Jim Corbett and His Firearms: The Guns Behind a Legendary Hunter

Dec 26, 2025
2 min read

The .275 Rigby and the mighty .500 Henry from Adkins and Son

Edward James “Jim” Corbett (1875–1955) is remembered as India’s most famous hunter of man-eating tigers and leopards. His success, however, was not just skill—it was also knowing and trusting the right firearms for the job. Over his career, three rifles became synonymous with his hunts: the .500 Henry black powder double, the .450/.400 Nitro Express, and the legendary .275 Rigby.

The Early Years: .500 Henry Adkins & Sons

Corbett’s first major hunting rifle was a .500 Henry black powder side-by-side double made by Adkins & Sons, Castle Road, England (c. 1890–1939).

Action: Jones Underlever break-action
Hammers: External (“hammered”)
Use: Killed the famous Temple Tiger

Known as his “big .500 bullet” , the rifle was later modified to fire modified cordite, a low-pressure smokeless powder that offered higher performance than black powder without

overstressing the gun.

Jim Corbett’s .500 Henry Adkins and Sons blackpowder rifle

The Champawat Man-Eater: .450/.400 Nitro Express

The Champawat Man-Eater killed over 436 people, making her the deadliest tiger in recorded history. To stop her, Corbett used a W.J. Jeffery rifle in .450/.400 Nitro Express, a smokeless powder rifle offering:

Higher velocity and flatter trajectory
Greater penetration than black powder
Confidence in close-range dangerous game encounters

This rifle replaced the .500 black powder double and marked Corbett’s transition into modern Nitro Express firearms.

The Legendary .275 Rigby

While the .450/.400 was critical for Champawat, the .275 Rigby is the firearm most associated with Corbett.

Maker: John Rigby & Co., London
Action: Mauser 1898 bolt-action
Calibre: .275 Rigby (7×57mm Mauser)

This rifle accounted for most of the man-eating tigers and leopards responsible for over 1,200 human deaths in India. Lightweight, accurate, and with mild recoil, it allowed Corbett to make precise, effective shots in dense jungle conditions—showing that skill and shot placement mattered more than calibre.

The .275 Rigby was the rifle that Jim Corbett used to kill many man-eating tigers and leopards in the provinces of British-controlled India. This gun was presented to Jim Corbett by the lieutenant governor of the United Provinces in India for killing the tigress named the Champawat Man-eater in 1907

Corbett’s Firearms Philosophy

Across all his rifles, Corbett’s philosophy was simple:

Know your weapon intimately
Accuracy outweighs raw power
Confidence comes from familiarity, not calibre size

His careful choice of firearms and disciplined use left a legacy that continues to influence hunters worldwide.

From the thunderous .500 Henry to the decisive .450/.400 Nitro Express, and the precise .275 Rigby, Jim Corbett’s guns were tools, not trophies. More than a century later, they remain a testament to the principle that skill, judgment, and calm nerves are more powerful than sheer firepower.