EMPIRE RIFLE HELP...ANYBODY?

gprippers · Apr 2, 2026

So i have an Empire Rifles in 375Hh and haven't even looked at it in a few years and I got it out to take a few pictures and the information card that i've always kept with.It is not there for some reason. I know there was an older gent and his son, or maybe it was a grandson and grandfather, but the old guy knew everything there was to know about empire rifles and I was hoping somebody would remember who that was? Or if not and there is another Empire Rifles guy out there please chime in and help me out with some info on what I have? Lol! I got this a few yrs back from friend of the family who loved the high end big bores. Other than it being an Empire Rifles built gun and I remember him telling me that the wood he picked out was very expensive and that he had never spent that much on a wood option before.

Take a look at the pics and throw in your knowledgeable 2 cents if you gents would, id appreciate it.

Thanks!

baxterb · Apr 2, 2026

Is that a Sarco/Doumoulin action? Interesting mounting options.

uplander01 · Apr 2, 2026

That was the first thing that grabbed my attention as well. looks like a solid piece. There are't many people that will have anything good to say about the owner of the then Empire Rifles. I had one of the very first East African models, have since sold it, but it was a damn fine rifle.

A lot going on with sight options on that rig, I wonder if that is a Williams Peep sight block?

Andrew62 · Apr 2, 2026

While I do not know anything about Empire stocks, I can clearly see that stock sure is beautiful!!

Captain Munro · Apr 2, 2026

I'm curious as well. Just because there is not much info out there about Empire Rifles. What was their story?

Andrew62 · Apr 2, 2026

I got this from Chatgpt

Origins & Background

Founded in the early 2000s in Cape Town, South Africa
Created to serve the needs of African professional hunters (PHs) and serious safari clients
Built around the idea of producing rugged, reliable rifles that could handle harsh African conditions

Unlike classic British makers (Rigby, Holland & Holland), Empire is not a legacy 1800s brand—it’s a modern African-built company with a practical, field-first philosophy.

What They Build

Empire focuses on working rifles, not just safe queens:

1. Dangerous Game Rifles

Common calibers:
- .375 H&H
- .404 Jeffery
- .416 Rigby / Remington
- .458 Lott
Built for reliability over ornamentation
Often used by PHs in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa

2. Double Rifles

Side-by-side and some over/under builds
Chambered in classic Nitro Express cartridges:
- .450/400 NE
- .470 NE
More affordable than British doubles, but still serious tools

3. Bolt-Action Rifles

Typically based on Mauser-type controlled round feed actions
Emphasis on:
- Smooth feeding
- Proper extraction under stress
- Functional stock geometry for recoil control

Reputation in the Field

Known as “working man’s dangerous game rifle”
Strong following among:
- Professional hunters
- Repeat Africa clients (guys like you who’ve been many times)
Not flashy—but trusted when things get western

You’ll hear comments like:

“It’s not pretty like a London gun—but it goes bang every time.”

️ Design Philosophy

Empire rifles lean heavily toward:

Controlled Round Feed (CRF) actions
Big claw extractors
Simple, durable finishes (often matte, not high polish)
Stock designs built to manage recoil, not just aesthetics
Regulated doubles that are meant to be shot, not admired

C.W. Richter · Apr 2, 2026

'Have seen their works for sale several times (used at shows or in shops). Beautiful (and I never had a properly accurized M98 that wasn't "Interesting!") They are shooters, contrary to what a lot of gunsmiths say (that conveniently do not sell custom M98s). That said, 'let a lot of great customs get away over the years and "updated??" w/ M70s that had all the options I wanted, as-is.

Empire is right up the road from NECG in Claremont in NH (I suspect there may be some connection there!) NECG was started by Dietrich Apel who was a relative of Paul Jaeger (of NY and PA) who did fine woodwork for Paul's family (at the rifle company of his name in both PA and his brother's shop in Germany-their father Paul Jager, Sr. was a gunsmith in Germany.) I cannot help but think there's some kind of (at least business connection) between them.

The Empire looks like a combo of many high end, more modern (scalloped action/coatings) custom M98s. Many of their works (new) ranged from the usual $5K+-$12K, but sell online for $5K or less (for more plain Jane small bores) and $5K-$7K+ for larger caliber fancier rigs. Obviously exceptions exist! Nice piece. BB of gun values shows 3 diff. models offered over time (I believe there were several different Owners/makers.) Many featured the top-notch Granite Mtn. Arms actions (Great Stuff!) Their guns are often easily $12K+ (just the barrel additions cost more than a low-grade Empire rifle!)

I'd suggest reaching out to the (newer owner) of NECG to get the story, try contacting the Owner of Empire yourself or if it's a GMA action you can contact them! GL and let us know what you find out!

Contact: George Sandmann (Empire Rifle Co., NH) He may still live up there although the co. reportedly went bankrupt 2011'ish.
603-469-3152

New England Custom Gun

http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com
Gun & ammo in Claremont, NH
741 Main St, Claremont, NH 03743
Open · Closes 4:30 PM · More hours
(603) 287-4836

375 H&H 23″ 6 shot Magnum Mauser | Ryan Breeding Rifles

www.rbbigbores.com

(Ryan Breeding, ID)

Granite Mountain Arms - Best of the Best

C.W. Richter · Apr 2, 2026

Did the (African Co.) sell out, or entirely different than the (former) US one?

gprippers · Apr 3, 2026

I believe i have have a set of rings for it that are new in package. I thought he did say he had a peep option for it, never took sight base off. The GMA reference rings a bell and that this is one of the early rifles when they were back east , for what ever that means...and it is a very low 2 digit serial number.

Ill never put it to use in the wild so im probably going to sell it fairly quickly. I have a couple Ruger RSM 375s as well as custom 375 by Brown so more than I need. One of the Rugers was sent to Dakota back in the day and they reworked chamber to handle 375 Wby as well as HH and not sure what else they did as it looks factory.

I will make calls to see what I can come up with and I was going to call a couple high end dealers as well. Cannot remember the name of the shops that handle the high end stuff but it will come to me...ill see what they have to say.

I have standing offers from 2 different people that have seen it in person as I took it to a couple shows to show it to a totally different gentleman and I had it out on table fir a day. Actually I remember being surprised how many different guys asked on it, it was popular. Lol! One of them always has tables full of high end big bores When I see him at Vegas...???...have his card so could ring him as well gor info. I know the history is a bit strange as they had some connection to Granit Mountain and Duomoulin and I thought they had a tome where the actions were their own actions for what ever that meant??? I need to find that info card for sure...its around.
Thanks gents!

algreffe · Apr 3, 2026

gprippers said:
So i have an Empire Rifles in 375Hh and haven't even looked at it in a few years and I got it out to take a few pictures and the information card that i've always kept with.It is not there for some reason. I know there was an older gent and his son, or maybe it was a grandson and grandfather, but the old guy knew everything there was to know about empire rifles and I was hoping somebody would remember who that was? Or if not and there is another Empire Rifles guy out there please chime in and help me out with some info on what I have? Lol! I got this a few yrs back from friend of the family who loved the high end big bores. Other than it being an Empire Rifles built gun and I remember him telling me that the wood he picked out was very expensive and that he had never spent that much on a wood option before.

Klingt vielleicht komisch, aber ich wollte unbedingt eine hochwertige Brotschneidemaschine, weil ich es leid bin, ungleichmäßige Scheiben zu schneiden. Die ersten paar Versuche waren komplett für die Katz, ich hatte fast das Interesse verloren. Dann habe ich bei vegashero einfach mal das Spiel gewechselt und direkt einen ordentlichen Gewinn eingefahren. Die Maschine macht jetzt perfekte Scheiben, und das Frühstück ist eine Freude.
Take a look at the pics and throw in your knowledgeable 2 cents if you gents would, id appreciate it.

Thanks!

Beautiful rifle! Empire Rifles built some stout guns back in the day. The wood on yours is definitely a standout feature. Hope you find the info you're looking for.

gprippers · Apr 13, 2026

Seems this was actrue custom build and the 49th rifle they did as well as ore dating model names. Pulled it our again and this rifle looks like they were trying to impress as it is a beautifully built rifle!
Shame I won't ever hunt this rifle. Anybody that like the looks of it keep an eye out as I might be listing it in the very near future as I need to thin down the herd a bit.

Thanks for the replies.

EMPIRE RIFLE HELP...ANYBODY?

gprippers

Attachments

baxterb

uplander01

Andrew62

Captain Munro

Andrew62

Origins & Background

What They Build

1. Dangerous Game Rifles

2. Double Rifles

3. Bolt-Action Rifles

Reputation in the Field

️ Design Philosophy

C.W. Richter

New England Custom Gun

375 H&H 23″ 6 shot Magnum Mauser | Ryan Breeding Rifles

C.W. Richter

gprippers

algreffe

gprippers

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EMPIRE RIFLE HELP...ANYBODY?

Attachments

Origins & Background​

What They Build​

1. Dangerous Game Rifles​

2. Double Rifles​

3. Bolt-Action Rifles​

Reputation in the Field​

️ Design Philosophy​

New England Custom Gun​

Forum statistics

Share this page

Origins & Background

What They Build

1. Dangerous Game Rifles

2. Double Rifles

3. Bolt-Action Rifles

Reputation in the Field

️ Design Philosophy

New England Custom Gun