After watching TAA with Bill Jones and his rifles does anyone know the whereabouts of or own any of Taylor's rifles? Also in a similar vein how about the rifles that Holland & Holland outfitted Stewart Granger with for his hunts while filming King Solomon's Mines?

I handled Granger's H&H royal .375. It was owned by a gentleman that passed away recently in Pincher Creek, Alberta

Owner of Firing Line in Denver Colorado owns Podoro Taylor's Wilkes 450 double rifle.

I have bid on a couple of "known" rifles at Holts, doubles and the Selous' single, but obviously beaten by Bill Jones!

cheers, Chris

quote:

Owner of Firing Line in Denver Colorado owns Podoro Taylor's Wilkes 450 double rifle.

I met this gentleman on my 1st safari. Was unaware that he was using the rifle on a plains game hunt in Namibia after a short, successful ele hunt in Bots.
The ph said he could really shoot it well.
Closest I came to it was handling a spent hull left in the hunting truck.

I had the good fortune to handle the H&H 500-450NE double made for and presented to Teddy Roosevelt for his 1907 safari! It was in a booth at the Shot show in the Dallas Texas convention hall a few years ago. They were thinking about selling lottery tickets for the winner to be able to shoot the rifle a few rounds at a local shooting range, but they changed their minds. I was certainly going to buy a few tickets for that, but alas the lottery didn't take place!

What a balanced rifle that thing was, and it fit me like it was made for me!

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In 1976 I handled a pair of Wesley Richards DRs made for the Maha Raja of Cooch Bihar - a 476 WR & a 280 of some sort - made around 1962. The most beautiful rifles that I have ever seen in real time / life. Not quite flesh & blood but ... wood & steel ....

I use the 280 on a driven shoot and it handled like it was made for me (I was just 20 then). Did not get a shot as the Muntjack was too quick.

This is quite a timely thread - I just returned from a family holiday in Europe, stopping over in London on the way home. I spent one morning visiting a few gun makers including Holland and Holland.

I got to handle Mr Granger's 375, along with a few other impressive rifles. It goes without saying that it was a great rifle, as was the service I received at Holland. Slightly off topic but the manager of Holland's gun room couldn't be more helpful, quite unlike the experience I had with one of England's other bespoke gun makers.

Naki....I suspect the 280 was the .280 Flanged Nitro Express, I have a double in .475 Straight with an extra barrel set in that caliber..