NEED HELP Mystery 375 H&H

[rodandgun]

I'm hoping some of you experts can lend a hand. I purchased this 375 H&H earlier this year with the M98 action. When I bought it I was told it was a Rigby; however, there are not name marks on the rifle. I was able to purchase for what I think is a fair price thinking it may not be a Rigby. The wood and gold "SAFE" is what caught my eye. Below are pictures of the proof marks and serial numbers. Note the serial number for the bolt does not match the serial number on the trigger guard. Thoughts?

 

[baxterb]

Interesting rifle. Appears to be a step-ring? Those look like German proof marks.

Have you had it out of the stock?

Thinking about this again, and give it looks like a step-ring, I wonder if it's a rebarrel of a rimmed .350?

 

[Betterinthebush]

I love a good mystery…

 

[Huvius]

BaxterB is on the right track.
It is (or was) an original Rigby using the step ring action.
This action was the very first magnum length Mauser ‘98 and Rigby was the only customer for them.
It would have been originally chambered for the 400-350 Rimmed cartridge.
It was quite common for these rifles to get rebored and chambered for the 375H&H Magnum.
If your barrel is completely devoid of Rigby markings, it could have been rebarreled rather than rebored and chambered.

The number on the trigger guard is the Rigby number and the number on the bolt is the last four of the Mauser number. There will be other parts with the last two - 88, stamped on them. If you pull the action and magazine from the stock, there should be the same number on the magazine and the action somewhere unless it was taken off.
Looks like a really nice rifle!

 

[318AE]

You’ve got some great information in just 30 mins! From the 2971 number, Rigby could tell you more about what it was originally. More pictures of the rear sight and front sight could be helpful, to better ascertain a rebarrel vs rebore. Always cool to see pre war Rigbys.