Odd 700

[Rem700 Shooter]

Morning folks. New member to the forum, long time Rem owner of various types.

I have encountered an odd looking 700 in .30-06 with apparent foreign proofs and date code. Has a two letter code in a box that looks Italian showing a date of '92 or '93 depending on the code letter. It also sports a Cat # like you will find on a Uberti revolver.

Stock of top quality walnut is unlike any Rem 700 I have seen, though similar to a Mountain rifle but different checkering, as well its a DM magazine. Has a contrasting wood forend tip, not plastic.
Barrel is 22" with sights, but the rear is a Williams sight, not Rem. Receiver is a C prefix with 7 digits starting with 6

Bolt handle is a spoon style very similar to a Steyr Model M, S, and L, jeweled bolt body. Bolt shroud is also unlike any I have seen on a 700 more like a model 77 Ruger style.
So am wondering if this was purchased as receiver only and custom built in Euro somewhere, Italy most likely or part of a shipment made by Rem for overseas use?

I welcome any info. Thanks!!

[Rem700 Shooter]

Am getting the feeling there isnt much activity here? My post has been here all day and not one view?

[usabaker]

You would be right. I think a lot of the active members have aged out. But that said. I would be interested to see a picture of the rifle. I might be able to identify the proof stamps. The stock you are describing is very common replacement stock. It sounds like a high-grade walnut with a rosewood tip like the stocks sold by Microfit Stocks. https://richardsmicrofitgunstocks.com/p ... er-styles/

[Rem700 Shooter]

No, the stock is not that style, its classic American, straight comb, no white spacers or angles. The forend tip is vertically joined. I know that some of the proofs are Italian, like the Cat #, not a proof but you see those on Uberti guns. Two letter code inside a box is Italian.

Steyr style bolt handle and odd looking bolt shroud.

Guns International #: 103698915

I dont think its US aftermarket work, but you tell me.

[usabaker]

Without pictures, it's hard to determine anything, everything is a guess based on text descriptions. European proofs are well documented and legally required, no matter who's doing the modification, but I'd still need to see pictures.

[Mainspring]

I think someone did some custom work, maybe in the States, maybe not. The barrel looks like it may have been set back, so possibly rechambered. The sights relocated or added. Bolt shroud contoured. Bolt handle has been modified but I'm not convinced it is a butter knife style. Foreign stamps are not uncommon, many G.I.'s have either ordered new guns or their own to be shipped to a foreign country. Once imported they frequently go thru a proofhouse for testing and receive their foreign stamps. The importer may be adding their stamps as well.

Interesting but I'm not seeing anything screaming that this is a special M700.

[Rem700 Shooter]

Without pictures, it's hard to determine anything, everything is a guess based on text descriptions. European proofs are well documented and legally required, no matter who's doing the modification, but I'd still need to see pictures.

I gave the listing number for GI above your post in my post. Pics are there.

[Rem700 Shooter]

I think someone did some custom work, maybe in the States, maybe not. The barrel looks like it may have been set back, so possibly rechambered. The sights relocated or added. Bolt shroud contoured. Bolt handle has been modified but I'm not convinced it is a butter knife style. Foreign stamps are not uncommon, many G.I.'s have either ordered new guns or their own to be shipped to a foreign country. Once imported they frequently go thru a proofhouse for testing and receive their foreign stamps. The importer may be adding their stamps as well.

Interesting but I'm not seeing anything screaming that this is a special M700.

Seller emailed me some pics of the bolt handle, and its definitely different and more Steyr like than Remington like.

38328.jpg (1.46 MiB) Viewed 98 times

[usabaker]

Definitely has had work done to the bolt. I can't tell much from this one picture except that I doubt this rifle was modified outside the US. The Stock is a factory stock; you can tell by the pressed checkering and the forearm checkering pattern. A custom shop would have hand-cut the checkering. I can't see the tip, so I have no clue what it might be. The bolt handle looks to be a reworked factory handle. The bolt shroud has been lightened, and the lightening is really nice; I'd guess that if they went to all that trouble, the bolt face will have a bushing as well. From what I can see, which is very little, the rear and front sights look to be early ~ 1965ish. "C" prefix designation was used starting in November 1987 through the late 1990's can provide pictures of the date stamps on the side?

[Rem700 Shooter]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns- ... =103698915

Perhaps the link above will help. As to your assertions, wrong on many accounts. Williams sights like this were never used on a model 700 by Remington.

Stock is not factory, nor is the checkering a pattern one they used and its certainly not pressed, its at least machine cut.

Forend tip is a light contrasting wood with no spacer.

The bolt handle is vastly different from a Rem handle and likely not 'reworked', but a totally new handle welded on.

I continue to believe this rifle with all the foreign proof marks and date codes was likely built overseas or sent as a factory barreled action and built from there, perhaps a one off, but perhaps as a group buy of some sort, be nice to know but barring any evidence awfully hard to prove.

Look over the link above. Its a beautiful rifle and if it was anything besides '06 I would have already bought it.

[usabaker]

Stock is not factory, nor is the checkering a pattern one they used and its certainly not pressed, its at least machine cut.

Forend tip is a light contrasting wood with no spacer.

The bolt handle is vastly different from a Rem handle and likely not 'reworked', but a totally new handle welded on.

I continue to believe this rifle with all the foreign proof marks and date codes was likely built overseas or sent as a factory barreled action and built from there, perhaps a one off, but perhaps as a group buy of some sort, be nice to know but barring any evidence awfully hard to prove.

Look over the link above. Its a beautiful rifle and if it was anything besides '06 I would have already bought it.

For the bolt, If you say so, but that is pressed Remington pattern checkering; you need only compare it to late 80's though 90's stocks. You provided ONE picture and asked to have YOUR findings verified; you keep mentioning the " foreign proof marks and date codes" but have yet to provide a picture of them. If you're so sure, then why even ask?

[Rem700 Shooter]

No I dont think that is pressed checkering, but I think depending on the angle of the photo and lighting, it does appear in some of the pics as if could be, but I dont think so, with press checkering the points are pressed into the wood as opposed to cut that has the points out of the wood.
As to the other questions about markings, I have twice shown you the link to where the gun is so you can see it, why dont look at it?
Here it is again..

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns- ... =103698915