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.

 

[Huvius]

The crowned B and U stamps are German proofs - the crowned V is the provisional London proof mark. You can see the London house stamped their mark on the bolt sideways between the German stamps.

 

[Rare Breed]

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?View attachment 730634View attachment 730635View attachment 730636View attachment 730637View attachment 730638View attachment 730639View attachment 730640

Very easy answer. Reach out to Rigby and use their certification service. $150 US but they will see if it is in their ledgers. If it is they will send you the build certificate which without question increases the value of your rifle. I love my Rigbys. All of mine have their certificates

 

[TOBY458]

@rookhawk ?

 

[steve white]

Original iron sights?

 

[rodandgun]

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?

I have not had it out of the stock, thank you for your feedback! I believe the gentleman I bought it from told me it was originally a different caliber.

 

[rodandgun]

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!

Thank you sir! Thank you for your feedback! I believe the gentleman I bought it from told me it was originally a different caliber. That makes sense that if it had been rebarreled it would not have the Rigby markings. Almost all the other parts have 88 stamped on them. So it is not uncommon for the bolt to have a different number than the rifle itself? I understand Mauser supplied the action, but wasn't sure if the gun manufacturer put their serial number on those parts, or if Mauser put their own.

 

[rodandgun]

Original iron sights?

As far as I know. I'm going to request the letter from Rigby and see if they can help. I just hope it is a Rigby. From what I've learned on this page, the serial number and year suggest so

 

[rodandgun]

Very easy answer. Reach out to Rigby and use their certification service. $150 US but they will see if it is in their ledgers. If it is they will send you the build certificate which without question increases the value of your rifle. I love my Rigbys. All of mine have their certificates

Thank you, sir. I was going to reach out to Rigby but then had the thought, "it could be another manufacturer and how would I know that serial number in their ledger is actually this gun?" When I bought my Purdey I sent off to Audley House and they were able to send me a copy of the original order form from 1911. The provenance and tracking is what makes these old guns so interesting!

 

[Hunt anything]

The knowledge of members on just about every topic that comes up on the forum never ceases to amaze me!

 

[rodandgun]

The knowledge of members on just about every topic that comes up on the forum never ceases to amaze me!

I joined today and can tell you I am very impressed. I only hope to contribute where I can. Hours of me researching online and learned more in 30 minutes than I did on my own.

 

[Hooked Now]

I love that threads like this exist. Cool rifles with neat stories and people sharing knowledge. Always something more to learn. Thanks to both op and respondents.