Reading Chapstick book that talks about the 4 bore that Selous shot and how the stock was wrapped in leather, the wetted inside of the elephant's ear, that when dry was like steel.

I am interested in more information on this. I am guessing it worked usually (except when the round was double charged like the one referenced in his story). What was the process and does anybody have any pictures? I am guessing that it ruined the stock, or at least damaged the finish since the leather was put on wet. I am surprised that nobody when making their african rifle does that anymore as a kind of fitting tribute to the pre 20th century professional hunters.

Thanks guys.

Red

DR

I believe the purpose was to field repair a cracked stock. I'm sure ruining the finish, if it had any, was not a problem. Shooting a 4 Bore with a broken wrist was.

Some Co. actually extended the tang, top and bottom and even side to side in an attempt to strengthen the wrist.

Wrapping a rifle in an elephant hide now would likely get your rifle seized in some of our more advanced countries.

In a dry climate it would probably give you a better grip than checkering.

Well it looks like crap, it makes the grip much larger, its a temporary repair at best, leather has acids in it and it will ruin the finish and doesn't do wood a lot of good, better to just file it in the stone axe file!

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Oops missed a part of your question, the process varis as to who is doing it, but basically the process is the same as the process of rawhide, use the thinnest part of the inside ear or as a matter of fact the penis skin is the best part for such repairs, apply it wet and sewed with sinue or whatever, put it in the sun to shrink and dry, same process as the Apache when they wrapped a prisoner in a wet horse hide with ony his mouth showing, when dry it squeezed his innards out his nose and mouth, lovey eh what!

This is a recent production DG rifle from Mozambique.
Stock around the action is strengthend with the hide technique described above.
The recoil pad is from a sole of sandales.
Barrel from a motor car´s steering suspension.
Calibre 1.000 "

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quote:

Originally posted by Norbert:
This is a recent production DG rifle from Mozambique.
Stock around the action is strengthend with the hide technique described above.
The recoil pad is from a sole of sandales.
Barrel from a motor car´s steering suspension.
Calibre 1.000 "

Great pics! I would like to see a black dude point that rifle at an elephant and pull the trigger.

What about the metal finished wrists?

Does anyone have a picture of those?

Bet they were nice and warm on the cheek.

Thanks

Minkman

See Double Gun Journal vol 15, issue 2 (summer 2004) for a nice article on a .461 Gibbs-Metford that has metal Selous side plates. Pics, hunt report, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Minkman:
What about the metal finished wrists?

Does anyone have a picture of those?

Bet they were nice and warm on the cheek.

Thanks

Minkman

Previously posted by 300H&H