PieterCoetzee
Professional
Sometimes I think I was born a century too late. Of course Id probably be dead now, were it not for modern meds; but somethings back then just seemed more genteel and there were more adventures to be had. Ive hunted Bear in Canada and Lion in Kimberly, both shots were taken in the 20 yard range from the ground. The Bear was from a blind over bait (donuts) and the lion was on a stalk following tracks for a rogue.
Since I was a kid, I wanted to hunt a Tiger from the back of an Elephant. Ive read pretty much everything I could fine on the old hunters. That caused a spin off to collecting Howdah Pistols. The "chair" on the back of a elephant is called a Howdah Chair. Howdah pistols were typically big (BIG) bore double barreled set ups, that started in the percussion period then continued into the cartridge era. Some may have been "made" from double rifles or even shotguns; but I would argue that was few an far between; because most surviving Howdah pistols were finely made by makers like H&H, Purdey, Jefferies, Westley Richards and the likes. They typically came in pairs. Pairs because they were intended to be hung from the corners of the Howdah chair, to be used as a last resort when the P'd Off tiger was climbing up the Elephants ****. It seems Tigers take exception to being shot at...
Rifles for Tiger could be Single or Doubles and typically of heavier cartridges; but not necessarily big heavy stopping cartridges typically used in Afrika. Jim Corbet once used a Savage 99 in 22 Hi Power to kill a Tiger. They may be the biggest cay but they arent thick skinned. In modern cartridges a 7x57 or similar wouldnt be a bad choice. At the turn of the 19th to 20th century, you might have seen anything from big bores to 30(+) calibers.
Double Rifles typically have barrels from 22 to 26 inches, but "look" shorter because they lack the receiver length of a bolt gun. I know of one rifle purpose built by Westley Richards in 375x2 1/2 Nitro with 16" barrels. Its finely engraved and cased. WR confirmed it was originally made in that configuration. I thought the idea was unique...at least until a Side X Side Double walked into the shop today. Its a side lever hammer gun with 16inch barrels, in 45 X 2 1/2" (405), thats another name for 45-70 Govt; but the Brits didnt call it that.
Its of unknown origin and may have started out as a Cape gun (one shotgun barrel and one rifle barrel); but both of these are rifled. It locks tight but its got some wear on both the metal and wood. It didnt make it to the shelf, I snatched it up immediately.
Now its just waiting for a Tiger Hunt...until then Ill take on a Pig hunt in June.
Pictures when I get Home
Since I was a kid, I wanted to hunt a Tiger from the back of an Elephant. Ive read pretty much everything I could fine on the old hunters. That caused a spin off to collecting Howdah Pistols. The "chair" on the back of a elephant is called a Howdah Chair. Howdah pistols were typically big (BIG) bore double barreled set ups, that started in the percussion period then continued into the cartridge era. Some may have been "made" from double rifles or even shotguns; but I would argue that was few an far between; because most surviving Howdah pistols were finely made by makers like H&H, Purdey, Jefferies, Westley Richards and the likes. They typically came in pairs. Pairs because they were intended to be hung from the corners of the Howdah chair, to be used as a last resort when the P'd Off tiger was climbing up the Elephants ****. It seems Tigers take exception to being shot at...
Rifles for Tiger could be Single or Doubles and typically of heavier cartridges; but not necessarily big heavy stopping cartridges typically used in Afrika. Jim Corbet once used a Savage 99 in 22 Hi Power to kill a Tiger. They may be the biggest cay but they arent thick skinned. In modern cartridges a 7x57 or similar wouldnt be a bad choice. At the turn of the 19th to 20th century, you might have seen anything from big bores to 30(+) calibers.
Double Rifles typically have barrels from 22 to 26 inches, but "look" shorter because they lack the receiver length of a bolt gun. I know of one rifle purpose built by Westley Richards in 375x2 1/2 Nitro with 16" barrels. Its finely engraved and cased. WR confirmed it was originally made in that configuration. I thought the idea was unique...at least until a Side X Side Double walked into the shop today. Its a side lever hammer gun with 16inch barrels, in 45 X 2 1/2" (405), thats another name for 45-70 Govt; but the Brits didnt call it that.
Its of unknown origin and may have started out as a Cape gun (one shotgun barrel and one rifle barrel); but both of these are rifled. It locks tight but its got some wear on both the metal and wood. It didnt make it to the shelf, I snatched it up immediately.
Now its just waiting for a Tiger Hunt...until then Ill take on a Pig hunt in June.
Pictures when I get Home
