Cogswell & Harrison rifle question

[Maaax]

Hello. I just picked up a Cogswell & Harrison rifle in 300 H&H. 68xxx. I have read the posts featuring the 404 and 375's. My rifle seems to be one of the "specials" built thru 1953, according to the posted literature. My question is about the bottom metal and release. Pictures of this series of rifles seem to have a release located in the trigger guard. Also, I read about the use of aluminum in the magazine and how it can become deformed by hard bullets. My rifle has a steel magazine well. It also uses a lever to open the floor plate, not the trigger guard button. Does anyone know anything about these rifles that might help me figure out what model that I have? Or might the lever release just have been an option? Thanks for your help. Gary

 

[rookhawk]

Hello. I just picked up a Cogswell & Harrison rifle in 300 H&H. 68xxx. I have read the posts featuring the 404 and 375's. My rifle seems to be one of the "specials" built thru 1953, according to the posted literature. My question is about the bottom metal and release. Pictures of this series of rifles seem to have a release located in the trigger guard. Also, I read about the use of aluminum in the magazine and how it can become deformed by hard bullets. My rifle has a steel magazine well. It also uses a lever to open the floor plate, not the trigger guard button. Does anyone know anything about these rifles that might help me figure out what model that I have? Or might the lever release just have been an option? Thanks for your help. Gary

Hello Gary.

Cogswell made a variety of these rifles, most commonly in 300HH and 318WR. They are unrelated to the 1951-1953 "big run" of 375HH and 404J rifles on Mauser and P14 actions respectively.

The bigger guns frequently (but not always) had an aluminum magazine cover and the release integrated into the trigger guard. I believe these were made by Parker Hale for them at the time. Not all of them had these, but its not relevant to your small bore rifle. I've never seen one that had a functional problem and I've owned and handled many. Glorious rifles for the money that have taken countless game animals by clients and rangers across Africa.

Back to your smallbore: It was most common for your rifle type to have steel bottom metal, either with a military style bottom metal box, or the fancier but slightly less practical lever style. Yours sounds correct.

As to what model you have and when it was made, I'd need to see pictures and serial numbers to make an educated guess or confirm in my ledgers. They made these rifles en masse and also bespoke in a variety of configurations from the 1920s until the late 1950s. They are back producing more of them in recent years with a bit of a tactical and plastic look.

I wouldn't get hung up on "what model is this" because there are so many variations. The better question to ask is "what quality is this" which we can judge by the sight arrangement, fit and finish, wood quality, checkering, and other aspects of the rifle.

 

[Maaax]

Hello Gary.

Cogswell made a variety of these rifles, most commonly in 300HH and 318WR. They are unrelated to the 1951-1953 "big run" of 375HH and 404J rifles on Mauser and P14 actions respectively.

The bigger guns frequently (but not always) had an aluminum magazine cover and the release integrated into the trigger guard. I believe these were made by Parker Hale for them at the time. Not all of them had these, but its not relevant to your small bore rifle. I've never seen one that had a functional problem and I've owned and handled many. Glorious rifles for the money that have taken countless game animals by clients and rangers across Africa.

Back to your smallbore: It was most common for your rifle type to have steel bottom metal, either with a military style bottom metal box, or the fancier but slightly less practical lever style. Yours sounds correct.

As to what model you have and when it was made, I'd need to see pictures and serial numbers to make an educated guess or confirm in my ledgers. They made these rifles en masse and also bespoke in a variety of configurations from the 1920s until the late 1950s. They are back producing more of them in recent years with a bit of a tactical and plastic look.

I wouldn't get hung up on "what model is this" because there are so many variations. The better question to ask is "what quality is this" which we can judge by the sight arrangement, fit and finish, wood quality, checkering, and other aspects of the rifle.

Rookhawk
Thank you for your response. Serial number 68545. I don't know how to post pictures but can send you a few privately, if you wouldn't mind. Nice quality, but probably more of a working man's rifle. Some checkering patterns don't quite line up. Beautiful to me. 7lb 5oz.
Gary

 

[rookhawk]

Rookhawk
Thank you for your response. Serial number 68545. I don't know how to post pictures but can send you a few privately, if you wouldn't mind. Nice quality, but probably more of a working man's rifle. Some checkering patterns don't quite line up. Beautiful to me. 7lb 5oz.
Gary

On the post, as you're typing a message the toolbar shows a picture, click on it and you can add images for the rest of the group to see as well.

 

[rookhawk]

Cogswell's business slowed after 1953. The serial numbers began 1953 at 66,632.

For that reason, it's impossible by serial number to determine if your gun was made in '53 or any year up to the late 1950s, maybe into the 1960s.

Pictures of all the proof marks may allow us to triangulate a date of manufacture more precisely.

 

[Maaax]

On the post, as you're typing a message the toolbar shows a picture, click on it and you can add images for the rest of the group to see as well.

I have not posted any pictures. Don't know how. Can I transfer phone picture directly to my post?

 

[rookhawk]

Click the button in the toolbar to attach, attach picture.
Respond to your post.

 

[Huvius]

Had to try that myself!
I’ve always used a hosting service like Imgur.
This is so much easier!

Here’s my Cogswell & Harrison TypeA Mauser.

 

[rookhawk]

View attachment 621409
Had to try that myself!
I’ve always used a hosting service like Imgur.
This is so much easier!

Here’s my Cogswell & Harrison TypeA Mauser.

Love it! Do you know why they put five iron sights on them? Answer: because six wouldn't fit! Love the standing and folding leaf arrangement. Very British. Very safari.

Yours is definitely one of the deluxe models with great wood, ebony/horn forend tip, and the express sights.

 

[Maaax]

Click the button in the toolbar to attach, attach picture.
Respond to your post.



View attachment 621374

Ok now I feel really stupid. Where is the toolbar that you refer to?

 

[Huvius]

Right there, top of the next field of the thread.

 

[Maaax]

 

[Maaax]

Cool. I found the attach files button. There is hope for this 70-year-old yet.

 

[Huvius]

My C&H is a factory Oberndorf Mauser TypeA.
The express sights and horn forend tip were features of the TypeA.
Many British makers and retailers simply put their name on German made factory Mausers rather than do any of the actual gunmaking.

 

[WAB]

View attachment 621409
Had to try that myself!
I’ve always used a hosting service like Imgur.
This is so much easier!

Here’s my Cogswell & Harrison TypeA Mauser.

That is a fine rifle sir!

 

[WAB]

View attachment 621424View attachment 621425View attachment 621426View attachment 621426

Another great rifle!

 

[Neophyte]

View attachment 621424View attachment 621425View attachment 621426

Fine looking rifle.

 

[Sarg]

That is a dandy old girl there, do you think it may have had a stock repair back in the day ?

 

[RayAtkinson]

In its day it was built to meet the needs of the African farmer to feed the family and deal with the preditors and beast that he could afford, so in that day it was the cheap gun in 375 for the most part and came the 98 Mauser or the Mod 17 Enfield...To day it sells as a quality rifle for big game hunting and is as good as any DG rifle available for what it was designed for..and fetches a high dollar..Ive owned several and see them as a fine quality rifle..You have good one..