doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Griffin and Howe identity question

For several years I have had the honor and pleasure of taking care of a classic, pre war G&H 30/06 Springfield rifle. The rifle has been hunted hard but not abused and is still quite accurate. There is a lot of blue wear and the stock has many nicks and dings and a wonderful patina of hunting history. There is a small stamp of numbers and letters on the right butt stock. The first is what looks like under magnification AAR with a line above and below as if in a brand followed by 11 42 with a space between 11 and 42. The letters and numbers are about 1/8 inch tall and the whole stamping is about 1 inch long. The AA could be tents but I think that they are capital letters.

I will post pictures that are already taken asap if someone can help me figure out how to do it, although I am sure that many folks have asked and many folks have given instructions in the past. Just one more time please!.

My guess is that these letters and numbers reprsent some kind of inventory number, perhaps for a museume or other organization or camp or club. The G&H research service has not been able to offer any clues. I would appreciate any ideas of what these letters/numbers might represent. Thanks in advance and I will post photos as soon as one of you helps me through it. Thanks in advance to all.

Welcome to the forum,

Might check this out to see if it will help you, if not email me(address in my profile) the pictures and I'll post them.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post291716

Would help to know the G&H barrel number.

Your rifle was made in 1928 and was not in my database but it is now, thanks.

Over the years I have seen rifles with letters and numbers stamped into the buttstock. One explanation I was told is that some countries put the number on the rifle when you entered the country and checked it when you left. If I remember it was in Africa.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of this or who knows the reason your stock has numbers will post.

Beautiful - not many quarter ribs out there. Lyman front sight? Are there initials on the gold oval? I love the stock architecture - doesn't have the very high comb of most G&H's.

Michael:

Thanks for posting the photos for me.

Ryan: The stock shield is empty and the front sight is unmarked. Not sure if it is a Lyman or not. It is similar but I am pretty sure that it is not a Lyman. Thanks for the kind words. This is rifle just begs to talk.