GUNS FOR AFRICA

[SIXGUNNER]

IVE BEEN READING A GREAT BOOK FROM PACO: "SAFARI" BY MARTIN JOHNSON. I READ EVERYTHING BY MARTIN AND OSA JOHNSON IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY IN THE 1950s. THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN 1928 AND TOLD OF THEIR RETURN TO LIVE IN AFRICA. THEY LEFT NEW YORK ON DEC 1, 1923 AND ARRIVED ON APRIL 15, 1924. AT ONE TIME THEY USED OVER 200 PORTERS. THEIR GUNS:

3 DOUBLE BARREL .470s
1 MANNLICHER .275
1 SPRINGFIELD .303
1 MAUSER .505
3 WINCHESTER 1895 .405s
1 WINCHESTER .32 LEVERGUN
1 MAUSER .4O4 JEFFRIES
1 WINCHESTER 12 GAUGE PUMP
1 PARKER 12 GAUGE DOUBLE
1 ITHACA 20 GAUGE DOUBLE
1 ITHACA 20 GUAGE DOUBLE "RIOT GUN"
1 .38 COLT REVOLVER
1. 45 COLT REVOLVER

FASCINATING READING. THANKS PACO!!!!!!!

[AmBraCol]

That indeed sounds like an interesting read. I just re-read "The Man Eaters of Tsavo" by Patterson and "The Hunter's Horn" by Ruark. My library of African books isn't very extensive, but I still find the subject matter fascinating. The equipment list and information on obtaining porters and such that Patterson included as an appendix was very interesting. Somehow I suspect that today things would be vastly different as to costs and allowable items from what they were 100 years ago...

[Sixgun]

Terry incognito?

[86er]

Depending on where exactly they went I bet they would've had some 450's if they were legal at the time. The poor clan had to stoop down to 470 garden guns to comply with the laws.

[Doc Hudson]

I apologize for sort of hijacking the thread, but Paul's comment about the slimness of his Africana collection reminded me of something.

Anyone interested in reading about Africa, and having a limited budget, should check out the book list at: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Africa_%28Bookshelf%29

All the books are free downloads, and in addition to these books on Africa, Theodore Roosevelt's books on Africa are also available at www.gutenberg.org as well.

Back on topic, I regretfully sold a copy of Martin and Osa Johnson't Lion a few years ago.

[Combat Diver]

Been to Africa a few times for Uncle Sam and never got to hunt. Have bump into the big 5 will patrolling armed with either XM16E1s, M4A1s, M14 rifles and M9 as a sidearm. The M9 actually has been the only arm on me when game was very close. Loiness at 20 yds, Leopard at 25yds, Cape at 35yd and Rino at 2yds!

CD

[AmBraCol]

Thanks, Doc - I think. I bookmarked it for future reference.

[getitdone1]

I recall an American guy whose last name, I believe, was Cottom. He didn't fit the mold and used all kinds of "NO-NO guns" in Africa. Believe I discovered him through gun writer Elmer Keith.

Think this was the guy who strangled and killed a small leopard. I recall he was a big guy. One of those "once is enough" things for sure.

Maybe others here can add to this.

Don McCullough

[Doc Hudson]

I recall an American guy whose last name, I believe, was Cottom. He didn't fit the mold and used all kinds of "NO-NO guns" in Africa. Believe I discovered him through gun writer Elmer Keith.

Think this was the guy who strangled and killed a small leopard. I recall he was a big guy. One of those "once is enough" things for sure.

Maybe others here can add to this.

Don McCullough

I believe you might be talking about Carl Akeley. He had the misfortune of having to kill two leopards without aun. He was not that big a fellow and got clawed pretty good both times. According to the story, as related by Peter Capstick, Akeley was a bloody godawful shot, which lead to non-debilitating wounds on those leopards, which made them very mad kitties bent on redecorating Akeley's anatomy.

[the telegraphist]

404 Jeffrey and a 375 H&H. Should take care of most things, 7x57 as an after-thought.

[Lawyer Daggit]

When I was in Namibia in the late 70's, 9.3x62's were just about everywhere- just a bit less power than a 375 H&H but in a std mauser action. It being a former German colony may have helped its popularity, though I also saw a considerable number of .303's, (more so than 7x57's).