Can anyone tell me about a man named Tony Boyce that was a part of the Rhodesian game department? I just agreed to buy a rifle that he once owned and I am curious about his history with it.

Thanks,
j

I believe you can find some info on him in Ron Thompson's book, Mahohboh along with a picture. I believe Richard Harland also mentions im in his book, Ndlovu.

465H&H

Was Tony the guy that had his pelvis crushed by the elephant his dog had PO'ed?

Dean

If you are buying the rifle from Ralf Martini, and 8x60HV, - I have lots of information on the rifle and Tony- Ralf bought the rifle from me.....I spoke with Tony about the rifle and his hunting. Have his telephone number as well.

Let me know if it is the same rifle..

404, it is the same rifle. I have been looking at it for quite a while and I just can't resist it.

Can you give us all a short rundown on Tony and his work with this rifle?

Thanks,
josh

Hi Josh

Very interesting story on this rifle. I wandered onto my local shop, Duncan's Gun Works, in San Marcos, CA, and Bud Duncan said - hey I think I have something you would like....

I saw the rifle and it did have everything I liked, an original Mauser sporting rifle, bow release lever, slim fore end, barrel band sling mount, but it was in an oddball caliber 8x60 HV. I ended up buying it anyway, thinking I would rechamber it.

Fast forward a few weeks and I am in the Powder Keg in Jo-Burg, and I mention to Jonathan that I bought a rifle that came from his shop (through a fellow San Diegan who purchased it in RSA and imported it). Jonathan knew the rifle, then retrieved the owner's name, Tony Boyce, telephone number and a photocopy of a photo of the owner with a group of fellow game wardens from Northern Rhodesia.

I telephoned Tony Boyce and he was happy to speak about the rifle. I have notes somewhere, but from memory, Tony purchased the rifle in 1956 or thereabouts from the widow of it's original owner. It was first purchased at Heyer's in Nairobi on 1897 or 1898 by the brother of a man who was President of South Africa at some point. I'll have to dig out my notes because the South Africans will recognize it. I believe the original owner used it for general hunting. And you may know Heyer's was a pretty well known safari outfitter- I aw some pictures of it on AR as apart of a book on old east Africa.

Tony used it in his capacity as a Game Warden. He said in a two week culling operation, he used that rifle, and that rifle alone, to cull 100 buffalo and 60 elephant. He said he took hundreds of hippo with it, and many more ele and buff. He put it up for sale a few years ago, and that is how it ended up in my hands.

Tony said it will put three shots in a matchbook at 100 meters (maybe if Tony is the shooter).

I sold it reluctantly, because the 8x60 HV is not a really practical caliber these days, and I did not want to modify it for a new caliber and optics, but rather pass it on to someone who would use and appreciate it for what it is.

I remember Ralf wanted it for his collection, but probably decided he had to many rifles, hence the sale.

Hope this helps- it's a real piece of Africana....

404, that is very cool. Thanks for passing it along. I intend to keep the rifle original and hunt with it a bit.

Thanks,
josh