Griffin and Howe M1903 heavy barrel target rifle

[Calfed]

I recently glommed this rifle at an auction and have been scouring the internet for any information about it with almost almost no luck.

The auction pics and description...





"Custom U.S. Springfield, Model 1903, Bolt Action Rifle, with 28" custom heavy barrel by Griffin & Howe, .30-06 caliber, SN 1269532, custom heavy walnut checkered stock, very nice condition."



It arrived a few days ago and I got a chance to snap a few pictures before it went into my FFL's safe for a 10-day "cooling-off" period. Anyone have any information on G&H heavy barrel target rifles?

The bore is very good...shiny, sharp and the muzzle measures "0" on the CMP muzzle gauge. The bluing is excellent.

The barrel is marked "Griffin and Howe Inc New York"



And "30.06 Gov"



Bolt had striker modified and the bolt handle is marked "J5"





Stock has interesting grain

[Kragrifle]

If there is a number with the G&H lettering they will have records on the rifle. I have a rifle with Barreled by Griffin and Howe but no number so no record.

[Calfed]

If there is a number with the G&H lettering they will have records on the rifle. I have a rifle with Barreled by Griffin and Howe but no number so no record.

Thanks, Krag. What kind of barrel is on yours?

[Kragrifle]

I have a 1922 M1 receiver set up for 22 Hornet with box magazine done by Springfield barreled by Griffin & Howe.

[Calfed]

I have a 1922 M1 receiver set up for 22 Hornet with box magazine done by Springfield barreled by Griffin & Howe.

The only other heavy barrel G&H 1903 I can find is one from about a decade ago that was auctioned off on James Julia auctions. It was inscribed "REBARRELED BY GRIFFIN & HOWE INC NEW YORK” .

https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/lot-1101-extremely-rare-griffin-and-howe-heavy-barrel-international-match-1903-springfield-rifle-37982/

[Calfed]

If there is a number with the G&H lettering they will have records on the rifle. I have a rifle with Barreled by Griffin and Howe but no number so no record.

Finally got in and picked up my rifle.

I couldn't find any more markings on it, other than this. Under one of the scope blocks I found "No 1x27". The X digit was drilled through for the scope block.



Bolt body has the previously referred to "damascene"


Muzzle is tight..."0"- on the CMP gauge.

[Kragrifle]

Appears to be s real G&H rifle with the scope being added (poorly) later. I’m sure you can get records from G&H to match up to your rifle.

[Calfed]

Appears to be s real G&H rifle with the scope being added (poorly) later. I’m sure you can get records from G&H to match up to your rifle.

Is there an issue with the scope blocks?

[Kragrifle]

Probably not, but you need to ask Dan Hudson if you know him. You can usually find him at the Tulsa show,

[lyman]

would G&H add the blocks in that location?


I have only seen a few G&H rifles, and one loose barrel (from a High Wall) that was D&T's, don't recall ever seeing a Block put over the wording

[Calfed]

I heard back from Bob Beach, the now-retired historian for Griffin and Howe...


"I regret that I have retired from doing the research and letters of provenance effective the end of 2018. There is a current G&H employee who intends to continue the service but it will take some time to rearrange his present responsibilities and familiarize him with the available documents.
A new Research email account has not yet been set up for him so I will continue to read and respond to inquiries. As you may know there are no original G&H& records prior to 1970 except for those rifles sold through Abercrombie & Fitch which owned G&H from 1930 until 1976 and sold many G&H rifles as both new and used guns. I checked all of the possible G&H serials numbers in the A&F records that were in the form 1x27 and there were four possibilities, but each does not seem to describe your rifle.

No. 1127 is built on a Winc. M54 action

No. 1627 has a 26 inch barrel

No. 1827 is a Winc. model 70 in .270 caliber

No. 1927 is in caliber 257 Roberts.

This suggests that your rifle could be:

No. 1027 built in 1930 – 31

No. 1227 built in 1933

No. 1327 built about 1933 - 34

No. 1427 built in 1935

No. 1527 built about 1936

or No. 1727 built in the early 1940’s

These dates are derived from the dates of near number G&H rifles sold at A&F and Michael Petroff’s research. I will check the files at G&H when I next get there which may not happen until November. G&H does have some paperwork for guns that were sent back for shop work post 1970 but these haven’t yet been put into the database that I can check. If I find anything more for you I’ll be sure to get back to you.

Thank you for the inquiry and enjoy owning this piece of undocumented history.

Regards,"

- - - Updated - - -

I also found this article about a Wimbledon "Bull Gun" made by Griffin and Howe for Ben Comfort, who won the 1935 Wimbledon match with it. Comfort's rifle was chambered in 300 H&H. and was built on a Remington model 30 action, which bears a strong resemblance to a 1917 action.

http://sportsmanslegacy.com/firearm/griffin-howe-300-hh-magnum-bull-gun-ben-comfort-1935-camp-perry-wimbledon-cup-engraved-inspired-elmer-keith/

The barrel profile, although chambered in 300 H&H mag rather than 30.06, appears to be very similar to mine.







Muzzle seems very similar to mine also.

[lyman]

Remington Mod 30 was a commercial version of the 1917 action

[Calfed]

Remington Mod 30 was a commercial version of the 1917 action

Yep. Even retained the clip loading slot.

[Kragrifle]

The recess for the rear sight doesn’t seem to fit the Lyman style rear sight very well. Is there another style rear sight that would have been fitted to your rifle?

[Calfed]

The recess for the rear sight doesn’t seem to fit the Lyman style rear sight very well. Is there another style rear sight that would have been fitted to your rifle?

I believe that it was originally recessed for a Wittek-Vaver rear sight. It is the closest match that I can find. Here is a picture of the 1903 Vaver sight.