Help Identify this H&H

[flyfishdoc]

I ran across an apparent H&H .375 Magazine rifle however the SN 9822 makes no sense. also no SN on trigger guard. Is this really an H&H or a really good imitation. I emailed London gunroom and waiting their answer but wondered if you guys ever saw one in this presentation. Thanks for your help.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Imitation. 100% sure. The magazine floor plate and the manner of inscriptions are the biggest giveaways.

 

[flyfishdoc]

wonder who made it? barrel and stock are identical to my known H&Hs...

 

[318AE]

Post a picture of the tang, just behind the bolt shroud. The forward bottom metal bolt is not H&H. It looks like it could possibly be a replacement, for the captured screw of a takedown.

 

[flyfishdoc]

 

[flyfishdoc]

 

[Aaron N]

What’s not right with the bottom metal?

 

[318AE]

Trying to help…. I sincerely doubt it would have left H&H with the nickel/zinc colored front action screw. It additionally looks like it might have been radiused for the larger captured screw used on the takedowns. However, the tang is not split the way the takedowns are made. Said more simply, it does not look like either of mine. The front ring stippling and quarter rib do look correct. There still a lot to like about this rifle, it just doesn’t look like it will command a market price for a H&H 375.

 

[flyfishdoc]

yes I find it an interesting enigma...

 

[Aaron N]

Is the SN on the trigger guard? Seems to be on any examples I can find.

 

[flyfishdoc]

Nope

 

[Dewald]

At some stage it was stamped by the South African proof house (now non existent)

 

[flyfishdoc]

any idea when the SA proof house closed?
I love a great detective challenge!

 

[Sika98k]

If it was a genuine H&H it would date between 1912 when the 375 cartridge was created and 1960 when H&H moved from Bruton Street to New Bond Street. This is what I can glean from Boothroyds revised Directory.
However if manufactured in the U.K. it should have Proof marks from either the London,most likely, or Birmingham Proof House.
Without those I would be suspicious of it being a genuine H&H.
Merry Christmas all.

 

[Dewald]

any idea when the SA proof house closed?
I love a great detective challenge!

If memory serves me right about 3-4 years ago.

It doesn’t meen its a fake to be proofed here. My one Ruger Alaskan was one of the first .375 Rugers in RSA, and hence was inspected by the proofhouse with the Springbuck horn stamp.

Years ago I bought a S&W bodyguard.38 Special from the importer, and as it was part of the first batck to land here it was also sent there and proofed

 

[flyfishdoc]

other proof marks seen

 

[Hunter4752001]

Isn't this the same rifle @LES7 asked about a few days back? The H&H (UK) should be able to confirm whether it's one of theirs or a knockoff.

 

[flyfishdoc]

Yes he and I are talking about it. waiting on London....

 

[flyfishdoc]

So London has spoken... see attached...