Anybody know what years or serial range that the 375 H&H used the 24 inch straight taper heavy barrel? I was offered one today in the 55XXX range that is so equipped.

'37 - '44..

This one is dated 47.

Serial # indicates '46, but there was some real funny stuff that went on in 46. A lot of parts from '41 were used on rifles that were made in '46-'47. The war had things a miss for a while and after 46 they had to use up parts that were not used in the 3 (or so) years they were not in full production. A cool tidbit about the 375 H&H 25" barrel was it was reserved for the supergrades starting (catalogued) in 1939. The standard grades didn't see the 25" medium wt barrel until after 1944 (probably more like '46 or '47)....

Do you mean the underside of the barrel is stamped 47? If so, does that seem odd? Barrels stamped with an earlier date and mated to a later year serial number range receiver fits with the post-war parts cleanup, but the barrels should be have been dated when they were made, before the war, unless I am mistaken.

Barrel is dated 47 on the bottom.

Can you show us a picture of the barrel and stamp?

I have not posted a picture to the Fire before but I will see what I can do.

A free photobucket account is easy to open.

Barrel date and caliber on 57758

I posted the serial number as 55XXX but it is 57758. Sorry for the confusion.

Is it the magnum receiver and do you have more pics? A good shot of the top of the receiver and barrel would be great. Sorry for not asking about those earlier. The serial # would still indicate a '46 DOM. However, around that particular time frame anything is possible. That rifle could have been a special order too..

Yes it is a Magnum receiver. If you look closely the front of the magazine well is milled away as in all the magnum actions. I will post some more pictures tomorrow. The bolt is numbered to the receiver and has the transition safety, and a clover leaf tang.

Sounds like a nice rifle. I was reading Rules book the other day and ran across a section where he says some owners would send their rifles back to Winchester and have the 24" barrels installed. However, For the most part, the majority liked the new style 25" barrel since it was lighter.