RON WHARTON, 1947 - 2015
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Ronald Wharton (b.1947) worked as a master gunmaker for John Rigby & Co. (Gunmakers) Limited, London, having gained an apprenticeship as a young school leaver.
It was during this time at Rigby that Ron met his partner of many years, Margarita Booker. In 1989, Margarita and Ron went on to set up a business in the gun trade, Bunduki Travel, specialising in the import and export of firearms. The business was originally set up as a meet-and-greet service for hunters transiting through London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports en route to Europe and Africa. 'Bunduki' is the Swahili word for 'gun'. |
AN EARLY RONALD WHARTON BOLT RIFLE, NO. 0002, IN CALIBRE .308 WIN.
When Rigby was sold in 1984, Ron set up his own company, Ronald Wharton (from Rigby's), where he specialised in the manufacture of classical English stalking and Big Game rifles made to the highest quality 'London Best' standard.
LEFT: WHARTON NO. 0345 IN CALIBRE .275 RIGBY. RIGHT: WHARTON NO. 0055 IN CALIBRE .416 RIGBY. (Photographs copyright Holts Auctions)
Ron began his work from London, but eventually moved to West Sussex, ending up in Rusper, where his workshop remains today.
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In 2006, Ron acquired the David Lloyd Rifles name with the backing of his long time client and friend, Francis Beardsworth.
Francis is an experienced hunter, target shooter, qualified range officer and skilled rifle maker in his own right. |
A MODERN DAVID LLOYD MADE BY RON, WITH TRADITIONAL BOLT SHAPE AND THE NEW IMPROVED MODEL NO.1 SCOPE MOUNTS
Ron and Francis immediately set to work improving Lloyd's famous scope mounting system. The resulting New Improved Model No.1 Scope Mounts vastly improved this range of rifles, which are still available today.
CHARLES LANCASTER AND HIS SUCCESSORS HAD OVER 36 PATENTS GRANTED AND MANY INTERNATIONAL ROYAL WARRANTS
In 2007, Ron and Francis acquired Charles Lancaster Gunmakers, historically one of the most famous and important British gunmaking names that had somewhat fallen by the wayside in previous years.
Over the following decade, Ron breathed life back into the old brand, with the help of Margarita and Francis.
Over the following decade, Ron breathed life back into the old brand, with the help of Margarita and Francis.
A NEW, MODERN WHARTON RIFLE, NO. 0345, IN CALIBRE .275 RIGBY. THIS RIFLE IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
Following the untimely death of Ron in 2015, Margarita and Francis kept the business going.
All three brands, Ronald Wharton (front Rigby's), David Lloyd Rifles and Charles Lancaster Gunmakers continue to manufacture new guns and rifles, with Lancaster undergoing a re-launch in 2021.
All three brands, Ronald Wharton (front Rigby's), David Lloyd Rifles and Charles Lancaster Gunmakers continue to manufacture new guns and rifles, with Lancaster undergoing a re-launch in 2021.