Thanks for the replies, fellas. Looks like I should have the barrel stamped to be safe.

Now, the fun part is deciding what the stamping should be. What do ya'll think?

.375

375 H&H

375
Holland & Holland

Holland's 375

The possibilities are numerous!

The Winchester 375 H&H I'm taking to Namibia this summer does not have a caliber stamp on the barrel (or anywhere else). Will this pose a problem with customs?

I believe that a rifle, except unaltered military rifles, without a caliber stamped or engraved deeply is a violation of federal law. I don't think that I would chance messing up my safari by not having it stamped with the caliber. Its a very simple process.

Hoot
I don't think the Federal Government cares what caliber a sporting rifle is, as long as there's a serial number on it.
Think of all the various actions sold without barrels.
The gunsmith puts the caliber stamp on the barrel for liability, safety and just plain informational reasons.
Jim

there is not violation of federal law for no caliber stamp. There are many rifles and shot guns out there with made with out serial numbers before 1968. That was the first year to require them in the states.

To remove one or alter a serial number is agaist the law.

When I went to Africa. My double rifle has no caliber markings at all any where on it. NO one said a word.
One one even looked at my rifles or ammunition, coming or going. The only thing I showed was my US Customs forms for my rifles, they were like a free pass. The people just took serial numbers straight from those papers and that was it. I know each trip is different, but I think we make too much of this. Just my opine. Relax, have a good time!

Rusty, Have you been to RSA in the last 2-3 years? They will 100% look at the rifle serial number now and match it to your Customs form. I agree with you about the 4457 being a free pass prior to 9/11 but since then things have changed in a big way.

I do not recall them actually matching the caliber markings on the gun to the form. I believe they matched the serial number only and then asked verbal what caliber it was. This is for RSA only not Namibia. Namibia has a lot less formal procedures for importing guns and shipping of trophies. (They have no pack and dip requirement).

I would agree the barrel should be stamped and that will solve any future problems you might have. If you go to Canada they will look at the caliber designation on the gun and the 4457 form. I hunted Canada twice the last 12 months and both times they matched the info by looking at the gun to fill out the permits.

Imagine the problems you can have when you do everything right. Now imagine one odd thing that happens and what problems that can cause!

I would stamp it with whatever it says on the cartridge heads.

I'd pay the insurance and have the caliber stamped on the barrel.....and yes...exactly the way it's stamped on the cartridge cases!!

Have scores of barrels with no caliber stamp. Haven't gotten in trouble in Idaho yet.

Hammer

JJ, no I haven't been in the last 2-3 years. I am sure things have changed. I still do not remember a person on this forum who has returned and had a problem with no caliber stamp. or head stamp being differant. Maybe I missed the post?

Anyone who goes with an old British double proofed prior to 1922 or 25 won't have a caliber either!

I won't be stamping anything on the barrels of my Hollis!

Gentlemen:

In the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide, 2000 edition, on page 87, Code of Federal Regulations 178.92 Identification of Firearms, states that "Each manufacturer, importer, or maker of a firearm shall legibly identify it by engraving, casting, stamping (impressed), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to engraved,cast, stamped (impressed) ... an unique serial number and the caliber, gauge, the name of the manufacturer or maker." The regulation states that these markings may be upon the frame, receiver or barrel. On page 102 of the regulations ATF Ruling 75-28 also reminds you that each firearm must be marked to show the caliber or gauge of the firearm.

It looks to me that having a firearm without a caliber or gauge marked upon the barrel or receiver/frame is a violation of Federal Law. From what it says, it seems that the manufacturer or maker (gunsmith or individual?) would be the one in violation.

Just skimming through the regulations, there are a lot of instances, especially in marking and altering of marks where seizure of the firearm is done if in violation.

Yes, there are many firearms that do not have the serial numbers as required by law. They were made before the law required it. However if you install a new barrel and change the caliber, you are required by law to put the new caliber on the barrel. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing a factory firearm, except military, that did not have the caliber, gauge stamped on the barrel eventhough they did not have serial numbers.

Thanks,
HOOT

Midway and others sell replacement barrels for rifles which have caliber markings on the breech end of the barrel and are not visible once the rifle is assembled. Do these markinggs meet the federal law ?

Hammer

Yuck, don't stamp it. Have it engraved. It will look much nicer. If you gunsmith can't do it, contact a few local jewelry makers. You will probably be able to take the barreled action to one of them for engraving.

Whatever mark you decide on, have a firearms engraver cut it fot you. Its cheap and looks SO much better. He can re-cut the serial No. at the same time and clean that up too.

Most jewelers use a pantograph which won't cut deeply enough to for this application. Same for trophy shops. Also, most of them are scared to death to touch a gun. You're gonna have to find a local gun engraver to do this or send it to Scrollcutter.

Hammer,

A barrel that comes from the manufacturer is not in itself a firearm. However, when you install in in a receiver it must be marked as to the caliber. The ATF says that the frame, receiver or action without any other parts, only the action is regarded as a firearm, hence it needs a serial number if it had one before the law went into effect. All produced after the law went into effect has to have a serial number.

Thanks,
HOOT

I don't know the "legal" answer to this but I know the markings don't have to be on the exterior of the weapon. My Pedersoli double rifle in 45-70 is only marked underneath the barrels, unless you take the rifle apart you can't see any caliber markings.
Jason

It seems to me that having the correct caliber stamped on the barrel of a rifle is a safety issue. Suppose you die, or otherwise lose control of a rifle whose barrel is unmarked. Only you know its caliber. Someone else may gain control of that rifle, either lawfully or illegally (through theft, for instance). That person MAY have enough foresight to take it to a gunsmith to have its bore and chamber slugged and thus get a true answer as to its caliber. But that takes effort and cost. Someone may guess that he/she knows the caliber and fire inappropriate ammuntion in it. The result could be a ruptured case (if the case is smaller than the chamber) or even a blown up rifle if he/she succeeds in chambering a round that is too large for the barrel.

I've never seen it done, but I understand, for example, that a 7mm Weatherby Magnum round can be chambered in a .270 Weatherby Magnum rifle. Please don't try it, and especially please don't fire it if you succeed in chambering it!

I would have it engraved

375 H&H

Belted Rimless Nitro Express

That is the real name for it anyway. Just like the real name for 30-06 is "30 caliber, government of 1906". Belted rimless nitro express just has a better ring to it. As has been said earlier, I would hate to blow up one of the grandkids for lack of a few $ worth of engraving. Good hunting. "D"

Once again, I would ask the question. . .
Who among us had had a problem coming or going to Africa with this problem?

I would wager that double rifle owners take their double rifle to hunt in Africa with nary a word about what is marked on their rifles. The rules of proof at the time did not require such markings.

So far as I have seen there has been only what ifs.
Not that it doesn't need attention, but I think we over do our concern about this. Just my opine.