Indians For Guns

Carpet Sahibs Jeffery .450/.400 double rifle can be seen here...

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve ... /523102435

Mack The Knife

Thanks for that one Rustdam. I noticed that the Elmer Keith Museum was in Salmon, Idaho when we were there in 2005 but had gone this summer. Now I know why. Only 130 nautical miles from Boise to Salmon by air.........but at least 8 hours by road.
Keith was a cussed old b****r at the best of times but a phenomenal shot - he could group better with open sights than many can using a scope.

On the subject of rifles with an important Indian connection have a look at lot 604 in Holts catalogue for their Sepember 14th sale - a very pretty rifle in lovely condition:
A FINE J. PURDEY .500 (3IN) BLACK POWDER EXPRESS DOUBLE-BARRELLED ROTARY-UNDERLEVER HAMMER RIFLE, serial no. 7864 28in. black powder only damascus barrels with matt rib, white metal inlaid leaf sights for 50, 150, 200 and 250 yards and bead foresight, rib engraved 'J. PURDEY 314 1/2 OXFORD STREET. LONDON.', Purdey variant Jones 1859 patent rotary-underlever with Purdey grip-safety, carved percussion fences, non-rebounding back-action island locks with bolted dolphin hammers, best fine scroll engraving with gold-inlay details, 14 1/4in. well-figured stock with cheekpiece, sling-eyes and chequered steel buttplate engraved 'CHARGE 4 DMS NO.6 POWDER', stock with white metal presentation plaque inscribed 'FROM H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. K.G. G.C.S.I. & c. TO THE HONBLE THE MAHARAJAH SIR DIGVIJAY SING BAHADOOR. MAHARAJAH OF BALRAMPORE. MARCH 1870', weight 9lb. 12oz.
See illustration on page 139
?8,000-12,000
The makers have kindly confirmed that the rifle was completed in 1868 as a 40-bore double rifle for Gov. (government) of India. A second rifle, no. 7866 was ordered at the same time, presumably also for presentation purposes.
The Duke of Edinburgh is recorded as having visited India between December 1869 and May 1870. It is noted that he exchanged many official gifts with Indian princes and presided over the grand opening of the Calcutta-Bombay railway. During his visit, he was invested as Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (G.C.S.I). H.H. Hon. Maharajah Bahadur Sir Digvijay Singh (b.1836-d.1882), President of the British Indian Association 1861-1882, is recognised for his unfailing loyalty to the British authorities during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. As reward he was given the title of Maharajah, several large estates and a nine gun salute in his honour. He was also invested as Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (K.C.S.I.).

Ross Seyfried, arguably the greatest living authority on big bore guns and hunting with them, talked about seeing Elmer Keith shoot a deer several times with his 45 Colt revolver offhand at 400 yards. Few if any people could shoot like the old Montana Cowboy (as he called himself) did.

400 yards, wow.

Thanks for the link Mack The Knife. Had practically given up hope of ever viewing Corbett's guns.

This gun was used by Corbett to eliminate ' The Thak Man Eater' ; the last in his career; both barrels discharged using one (right) hand resulting in a resounding blow to his jaw leaving his face bloated.

Wish a picture of the 0.275 Rigby also materialise

Elmer Keith shoot a deer several times with his 45 Colt revolver offhand at 400 yards.

Why is it that the range is longer,the horns/antlers bigger, the animal larger/more ferocious after the story has been told several times over. What would be the velocity and trajectory of a .45 revolver bullet at 400 yards? Sufficient to kill a deer ? Legends are made not only by the deeds done but also how the story is told later Carpet Sahib was not above being a bit creative in his story telling.

Take care,
penpusher

Sujay,

I am almost certain that I have a pic of the .275 Rigby and will try and find it for you.

In the meantime enjoy another. Courtesy of Nick.

Corbet and the Bachelor of Powalgarh.



Mack The Knife

Puthy tat ith shleepy.
I wondered about the remaining energy of a .45 pistol at 400 yards as well........Perhaps it was a head shot and the bullet knocked the deer out ?

penpusher/Grumpy,

The gun Elmer Keith used was not a 45 ACP but a 45 Long Colt revolver, which Keith hotrodded heavily. He used his own design Keith wadcutters and after this incident which Ross Seyfried wroite about - not Elmer Keith himself - the only criticism that Keith's detractors like Parker Ackley had was that at that extreme range the bullets had little remaining energy and that it took several shots to bring it down. No one disputed Seyfried's claims.

Incidentally, Ross Seyfried was an IPSC world champion pistol shooter himself, a PH in Africa for many eyars and is one of the greatest living gun historians not to mention an immensely popular gunwriter. He enjoys greater credibility than almost all other US gunwriters because he has always refused to promote products in his writing. I don;t see why he would have to brag on Keith's behalf.

No, he wouldn`t have to brag on Keiths behalf - Elmer would have done his own bragging.
I think we are both well aware that the .45 used was a .45 Long Colt......Not even Elmer would have tried using a .45ACP at 400 yards !
I first read Elmer Keith 40 years ago. That he was opinionated was obvious but I didn`t realise that he was a cussed old character until much later. His long standing feud with P.O.Ackley stemmed back to the `Keith-Ackley Battles` of WWII when both built Springfield rifles at the military depot in Ogden, Utah.
Definitely a character and a phenomenal natural shot.

Grumpy,

What would the world be like if we didn't have characters? I really miss reading articles by some of the grand old eccentrics - did read Keith as a boy and enjoyed Guns and Ammo immensely those days. They have turned the magazine into a pathetic advertising rag now...

Before this gets any more OT, I'll post a separate topic on favourite gunwriters.

Mehul

[quote="penpusher";p="2745"]

Carpet Sahib was not above being a bit creative in his story telling.

[/quote]

Corbett has contradicted himself ;at least once on a very basic element of wildlife behaviour on which the whole foundation of his books rests.

Would like to know what are your ( penpusher) observation. Where did you notice the creativity ?

Sujay,

Corbett has contradicted himself ;at least once on a very basic element of wildlife behaviour on which the whole foundation of his books rests.

You already have one instance.

Take care,
penpusher

Greetings Mack The Knife,
Thanks for the link on the Jim Corbett double...my dad was really thrilled to bits on viewing this one!
Now only if you could post the picture of Mr.Corbetts .275 rigby..that would be the icing on the cake for him!

Brgds/Clarence