Remington Model 14 "Gamemaster"

Happy Friday everyone and Welcome back to another Firearm Friday at Owen Guns Museum, where old timber, cold steel, and questionable financial decisions continue to steal the spotlight. 

Rack it, shoulder it, and head for the scrub. A few rifles capture the spirit of fast-handling bush hunting quite like the pump-action Remington Model 14.

Introduced by Remington Arms in 1913, the Remington Model 14 quickly earned a reputation as one of the slickest and most innovative sporting rifles of its era. Designed by the legendary firearm inventor John Moses Browning, the Model 14 was Remington’s answer to the growing popularity of repeating sporting rifles in North America.

Built as a lightweight and reliable pump-action centrefire rifle, it combined rapid follow-up shots with the rugged practicality hunters demanded in thick timber, dense brush, and harsh field conditions.

Chambered in the hard-hitting Remington .35 Remington Cartridge, the Model 14 Game Master became especially respected as a deer, pig, and black bear rifle thanks to the cartridge’s excellent stopping power at moderate ranges. The .35 REM fired a heavy .358 calibre projectile that delivered serious knockdown energy while still maintaining manageable recoil, making it a favourite among hunters who needed a dependable bush rifle that could handle tough game quickly and effectively. Even today, the cartridge retains a loyal following among traditional lever and pump rifle enthusiasts.

One of the most interesting features of the Model 14 was its unique spiral-cut tubular magazine. Unlike many early tube-fed rifles, the grooves inside the magazine kept cartridge tips separated from the primer ahead of them, greatly reducing the risk of accidental detonation under recoil when using pointed projectiles.

This clever engineering allowed hunters to safely use more aerodynamic bullets than many competing rifles of the era. Combined with the rifle’s smooth action and naturally fast handling characteristics, the Model 14 became renowned as an exceptionally practical hunting firearm.

The rifle itself featured classic early 20th century sporting rifle styling with a slim walnut stock, exposed hammer, takedown capability, and finely machined steel components that reflected the craftsmanship of the period.

Many shooters still praise the silky pump action of surviving examples today, with well-used rifles often feeling surprisingly smooth after more than a century of service. Production continued until the mid-1930s before being replaced by the improved Model 141, but the original Model 14 remains highly sought after by collectors and hunters alike.

Today, the Remington Model 14 Game Master stands as a fascinating blend of old-world craftsmanship and practical field design, a rifle that proved pump-actions could be just as capable in the hunting fields as lever-actions and bolt-actions. Whether admired for its Browning heritage, innovative engineering, or classic timber-and-steel styling, the old Game Master still has plenty of stories left in it.

somewhere out there, an old Model 14 is probably still leaning in the corner of a dusty shed waiting for one more walk through the scrub… preferably after someone remembers where they put the box of .35 REM.

Thats all for this week folks so remember stay sharp and accurate and continue supporting each other in all avenues of our sport!