It's been a while since I read most of Ernest Hemingway's African works, and I'm curious if anyone happens to have a listing of the rifles he used on safari? He had the 'little' Mannlicher, of course, I think in 6.5 X 54 (and referred to by EH as the .256 Mannlicher). EH spoke highly of it as a lion cartridge, as did his professional hunter Phillip Percival. Reputedly, his favorite rifle was a .30-06 Springfield. He also had a large double, too, right? What make and caliber?

Also, his descriptions of the game he took during his two safaris were always somewhat sparse. Has anyone ever definitively catalogued the game he took? His great disappointment with the kudu described in 'The Green Hills of Africa', for example, has always made me wonder how large (or small) it actually was. Most of his guns and trophies apparently are found at Finca Vigia, his 15-acre home outside of Havana, but I can't find a listing of its contents anywhere.

I'm sure many AR readers would be interested. Thanks for any information you might shed on this.

I've seen a picture in one of his biographies of the kudu on the wall of La Finca Vigia, his Cuban home. It was decent, but not spectacular. I don't know if that is the animal mentioned in Green Hills.

I seem to recall that he used a double .470 Nitro, but I'm not completely sure. I think the '06 was his favorite rifle and he took many animals with it, including lion. He was a truly remarkable shot, both as a wing shooter and as a rifleman. Running game was his forte.

Doesn't he mention to Percival in the book that his kudu is around 50 or 52 inches? He is in the middle of his "snit", caused by his buddy getting a 57-inch monster and showing him up when he says it.

Some great pictures of his house and trophies in Cuba.



http://havanajournal.com/gallery/image_full/17/

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Some great pictures of his house and trophies in Cuba.



http://havanajournal.com/gallery/image_full/17/

Thanks for the link. Very interesting pictures, althogh the dead frog in a jar was a bit puzzling.

Hemingway has a beautiful home.

Thank you Kathi, I really enjoy pictures (and articles) from what I consider a more civilized time.

I recall seeing a PBS show on Finca Vigia several years back and there was a little Mannlicher leaning in the corner of one of the rooms. I wondered at the time if it was the one mentioned in GHoA. I didn't see it in any of the photos linked above.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Some great pictures of his house and trophies in Cuba.[/URL]

Kathi:

Great site! Thanks for the link.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Hemingway has a beautiful home.

I'm not at all certain that he still "has" it.