Major Bonkers
AH enthusiast
This auction in France is worth a look, in particular for European members. It looks to be an estate sale of some desirable rifles and African trophies.
https://www.interencheres.com/art-d...e-bronzes-armes-et-animaux-naturalises-647415
Thoughts: there's a plain Westley Richards in .458 (best check which variety); a double barrelled 'Barella' (whoever they are) in .500/ .465, estimated at a very reasonable €600 - 800 (Kynoch will sell you the ammunition); a Hartmann & Weiss (in .338 Winchester); both a Holland and a Dumoulin (in .375); and a quite hideously over-decorated Mauser 66 in .270.
All would probably benefit from a robust attitude to cleaning. NB: buying rifles in France is a pain now, as you have to go through a dealer. There are good dealers (Armurerie du Forestier) and bad ones (Experts Armuriers), but in any case it represents an additional cost. British buyers should beware the hassle of explaining to our Police overlords that the .338 Winchester is not the same as the .338 Lapua, which is flagged up as a military sniping round.
The low estimates on the trophies are also noteworthy. We spend a fortune flying out, shooting these animals, having them stuffed, shipped, and taxed on import, and they go for peanuts on resale. The only trophies which maintain some value seems be zebra skins.
https://www.interencheres.com/art-d...e-bronzes-armes-et-animaux-naturalises-647415
Thoughts: there's a plain Westley Richards in .458 (best check which variety); a double barrelled 'Barella' (whoever they are) in .500/ .465, estimated at a very reasonable €600 - 800 (Kynoch will sell you the ammunition); a Hartmann & Weiss (in .338 Winchester); both a Holland and a Dumoulin (in .375); and a quite hideously over-decorated Mauser 66 in .270.
All would probably benefit from a robust attitude to cleaning. NB: buying rifles in France is a pain now, as you have to go through a dealer. There are good dealers (Armurerie du Forestier) and bad ones (Experts Armuriers), but in any case it represents an additional cost. British buyers should beware the hassle of explaining to our Police overlords that the .338 Winchester is not the same as the .338 Lapua, which is flagged up as a military sniping round.
The low estimates on the trophies are also noteworthy. We spend a fortune flying out, shooting these animals, having them stuffed, shipped, and taxed on import, and they go for peanuts on resale. The only trophies which maintain some value seems be zebra skins.