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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow!
      #36587 - 28/08/05 02:00 PM

I have been in love with the following quote since 1994 when I first read it in Peter Capstick's biography of John Taylor, " A Man Called Lion." For those who arn't familiar with it. . . here's a brief background.

C. Fletcher Jamison, a Rhodesian professional hunter in the 1930's & 40's, was a friend of Taylor. He supplied the photos for Taylor's " African Rifles & Cartridges." Because of a wrist/hand deformity Jamison sometimes had a spot of bother in handling his Holland double. . . especially when excess pressure caused the action to be strained and difficult to open. After years of service he finally disposed of the Holland and purchased a Jeffrey .500 magazine. Behind the butt-plate of the Holland he placed the following letter. . which was not found until more than 60 years had elapsed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Zambezi Valley, 14th July 1934

This rifle, No. 17892 .500/.450 has been one of my best friends. She has pulled me through many an encounter with Elephants, Rhino & Buffalo. She is one of the most accurate rifles in the world & since being in my hands has achieved a very fine record. I am positive that as far as her record is concerned she is second to none. I have shot with her the following species of animals: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, Eland, Roan, Impala, Warthog, Bush-Pig, Crocodiles, Snakes, Hartebeast[sic], Baboons, Duiker & Bush-Buck. But I have used her mostly for Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo & Hippo, & find she is all that one could ask for.

My battery of rifles consists of one Double barrel .577 Express, one D.B. .500/.450 Express, one 6.5 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, & a .25/.20 Winchester. This I consider as the most efficient battery of rifles any Big Game Hunter could wish for.

Whoever may be the proud possessor of this rifle after I am finished with it please treasure it for my sake.

C. Fletcher Jamison, Big Game Hunter

--------------------
" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "


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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: N320AW]
      #36589 - 28/08/05 02:49 PM


Very good indeed.

Interestingly, I owned Holland Double Rifle, Serial No 17901,
also in 500/450.


500 Nitro


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ALAN_MCKENZIE
.400 member


Reged: 24/03/04
Posts: 1214
Loc: Western Australia
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: N320AW]
      #36595 - 28/08/05 06:26 PM

Wonderful !!

--------------------
"Dogs always bark at their master"
Sir Seretse Khama.25th June 1949


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AfricanHunter
.275 member


Reged: 01/02/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Nebraska, USA
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: 500Nitro]
      #36604 - 29/08/05 05:21 AM

17881 was likewise .500/450, Royal Grade, non ejector.

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CFA
.275 member


Reged: 17/02/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Austin, Texas
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: N320AW]
      #36637 - 30/08/05 01:33 PM

Thanks for posting that, one can certainly understand that love affair. I have two beautiful English ladies coming soon, can't wait to take them to Africa.

CFA


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clark7781
.375 member


Reged: 28/10/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: CFA]
      #36643 - 30/08/05 11:03 PM

FRED!

Hey buddy! Hope all is well. Can't wait to hear more about your two ladies!

Enjoyed our chats over dinner at the DRSS hunt last April. I hope your two new ladies are all that you hoped for! I hope they fill the void of your Holland that blew that barrel...


--------------------
Clark

Double Rifle Shooters Society
.500 NE and .577 NE


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SXS
.224 member


Reged: 17/08/05
Posts: 23
Loc: New Hampshire, USA
Re: A love letter to a Holland double .500/.450. Wow! [Re: clark7781]
      #36718 - 01/09/05 11:54 PM

Mine is number 17926 a #2 grade non ejector with chopper lump barrels and the H&H detachable lock pin. It looks as if it will shoot well.
All the best, SXS


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