.375 h&h custom... who made it?

[TheJeremiahSmith]

Hello All,

Recently, I acquired a .375 h&h sporter rifle on gunbroker. It was 1500 usd total, and it shoots like a dream. I'm getting sub moa with it using 250 grain loads, and I'm looking forward to taking it hunting in Africa either 2025 or 2026. Here's the odd thing: there are no manufacturer marks. In fact, the only markings on it are the caliber stamp on the barrel.

I was hoping someone here could tell me what I'm looking at. It shoots wonderfully, and I'm happy with it, but I have zero idea who made it. The seller told me it had a 1917 enfield action, but had no more information on it. I'm stumped. Anyone here know who could have made this or anyone making customs like this?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

What you've got here is a custom made rifle built on a Remington Model 725 action. These used the Enfield Model 1917 receiver (old stock from Remington's inventory) combined with a push feed bolt. They were the predecessor to the Remington Model 700 action. Stock design was extremely popular during the 1970s so that's one clue as to it's possible age. Barrel appears to be Douglas Premium with a 1:14 twist rate (since it shoots so accurately with 250Gr bullets). Rifle was most likely sighted in with the 270Gr Winchester Super X Power Point factory load. I knew an American custom rifle maker by the name of Jim Zahm who built plenty of rifles on the Remington Model 725 action (all while keeping the military style floor plate intact) that look identical to yours. Most of his rifles were unmarked.

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

What you've got here is a custom made rifle built on a Remington Model 725 action. These used the Enfield Model 1917 receiver (old stock from Remington's inventory) combined with a push feed bolt. They were the predecessor to the Remington Model 700 action. Stock design was extremely popular during the 1970s so that's one clue as to it's possible age. Barrel appears to be Douglas Premium with a 1:14 twist rate (since it shoots so accurately with 250Gr bullets). Rifle was most likely sighted in with the 270Gr Winchester Super X Power Point factory load. I knew an American custom rifle maker by the name of Jim Zahm who built plenty of rifles on the Remington Model 725 action (all while keeping the military style floor plate intact) that look identical to yours. Most of his rifles were unmarked.

That was incredibly insightful, thank you so much!

 

[roklok]

I disagree on one point of Habib's post. Your rifle does NOT have a Remington 725 action. The Remington 725 action was a tubular action the same as the 721, 722, and the modern 700. The 725 did retain the Enfield type safety of the earlier military actions and the Remington 30 Express, but that is where the similarities end. Your rifle appears to be built on a Military P14 or 1917 Enfield action. On the rear bridge you can see a filler piece of metal to fill in the "swimming pool" as they were called. A lot of builders would fill the swimming pool with weld before reprofiling the receiver. This is the major indicator that your rifle has a military action. Also, the jeweling makes it hard to discern, but your rifle does appear to have the long Mauser style controlled round feed extractor, which the 725 does not. Nice rifle !!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I disagree on one point of Habib's post. Your rifle does NOT have a Remington 725 action. The Remington 725 action was a tubular action the same as the 721, 722, and the modern 700. The 725 did retain the Enfield type safety of the earlier military actions and the Remington 30 Express, but that is where the similarities end. Your rifle appears to be built on a Military P14 or 1917 Enfield action. On the rear bridge you can see a filler piece of metal to fill in the "swimming pool" as they were called. A lot of builders would fill the swimming pool with weld before reprofiling the receiver. This is the major indicator that your rifle has a military action. Also, the jeweling makes it hard to discern, but your rifle does appear to have the long Mauser style controlled round feed extractor, which the 725 does not. Nice rifle !!

If it has the original Enfield extractor, then it's even better !

A closer picture of the bolt would be very beneficial.

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

If it has the original Enfield extractor, then it's even better !

A closer picture of the bolt would be very beneficial.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Floating extractor = 1917/P14. What is magazine capacity?

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

Floating extractor = 1917/P14. What is magazine capacity?

She is 4+1

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have a P14 Enfield custom that was made by ER Shaw in PA in 375HH that shoots amazingly well with 300g Barnes TSX ammo. It was modified to cock on opening instead of the usual cocking on closing of the Enfield design. The safety looks almost like yours but the wood on mine is far more on the fancy side looking like high grade claro walnut. does your rifle have any s/n visible? Pic below for context.

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

No serial number or logo ANYWHERE on it. Only the .375 h&h stamp on the barrel

 

[BeeMaa]

You would need to remove the barreled action from the stock to see if there are any stampings that could assist in identification.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I stand corrected. The others are right. That extractor is clearly of a control round feed Enfield Model 1917 action. Which makes it even better than a Remington Model 725 action.

 

[wildwilderness]

Take the stock off and see what is on the action

 

[Russ16]

Random question. If one was to take this gun to Africa how would Customs fill out the form 4457? There is no maker or serial number to list on the form. I’d be curious how they would handle it. Likewise how would an FFL log this in their books? Just curious.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Random question. If one was to take this gun to Africa how would Customs fill out the form 4457? There is no maker or serial number to list on the form. I’d be curious how they would handle it. Likewise how would an FFL log this in their books? Just curious.

I was thinking the same. Even if it would be possible to somehow navigate through ATF and airport security, the gun would still have to get through police at Africa end. I don't see that happening.

Perhaps make up a serial number and engrave the receiver (professionally), then reblue. You could find a 1917 with numbers, add a few, and use that for your gun. I suppose it might be technically illegal but no one would know unless maybe the gun was used illegally. No manufacturer on receiver might also be a problem but less so than no serial number. One DOES NOT want to try explaining to local African police that this is a former military gun. Nooo! Never mention the word "military." I take two former military rifles with me to hunt South Africa but they were both branded by well known manufacturers (Brno 98 Mauser and Remington Springfield 03A3). Only people in the know need to know they are military surplus.

To date I've only noticed security and police comparing serial number and caliber on the guns to what's on the export documents. As far as I can tell they do not seem interested in manufacturer.

 

[TheJeremiahSmith]

I'll call customs and ask their advice. I'm a "do it the right way" type more than a "see what i can get away with" type. I want everything legal

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Always thought Form 4457 was Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Or am I wrong on that? Would be a first for me.

 

[Hunter4752001]

I can't comment on American or even South African legal requirements, but I'd strongly recommend following the advice to remove the action from the stock and examine for markings hidden by the stock. Do this and know the facts BEFORE involving any authorities.

 

[Russ16]

Always thought Form 4457 was Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Or am I wrong on that? Would be a first for me.

I believe 4457 is customs. That’s the declaration of good taken abroad.

4473 is ATF that’s the form you fill out when transferring a gun from an FFL.

 

[pmangelos]

There very well could be marking that still remain under the scope mount, I would look there, here are some pictures of 1917s and the British P14, the British guns were marked much more plainly than the US guns.