The most famous 500 Jeffery Rifle is still in existence, the property of the son of C. Fletcher Jamieson. Jamieson, a Rhodesian Hunter, shot dead just over 300 Elephant with it before he electrocuted himself to death down his own water well.
Jamieson's Diaries still exist & some of his old friends have confirmed that all 300 odd Tuskers were killed with one shot. His friends attest to his shooting ability by producing his targets where he succeeded in getting 2inch groups with his rifle at 200 yards.
Jamieson was a big man of 6'4", and in spite of his profession a noted naturalist. He is still widely respected in Africa. By the time he ordered his rifle from Jeffery in London he was so famous that Jeffery had the serial number inscribed on the barrel and inscribed the following words."Especially build for C. Fletcher Jamieson by W.J. Jeffery of London". The only time this was ever done in his workshops.

Reportedly Jamieson's son has been offered $5 million US for the rifle. This may be true when you consider that a South African, who's name escapes me, brought a 476 H&H Royal double rifle in Mozambique in the late seventies.
The rifle was stuck in the back cupboard of a ramshackle bush shop. The rifle was in very bad condition, rusted with a cracked stock. However the blokes hobby was doing up old guns.He got it cheap and took it home, gave the barrels to a gunsmith to be done up and got to work on the stock himself. When he removed the metal butt plate a piece of paper fell out from under the plate. The new owner picked it up and unfolded the letter.
It was an invitation to the new owner of the Rifle to look after it as it had served the owner well, the note followed with some information as to the particular sighting for the rifle and a short record of the Game shot with it.
The letter was signed by John 'Pondoro' Taylor.
This particular Rifle was passed in at auction a few years ago, bidding stopped at 2.7 million US.
Taylors 476 H&H Royal had been confiscated by the authorities as he was deported to London in 1948. Taylor was deported for poaching and on suspicion of being a 'queer'. He died in obscurity in a dingy flat in London in 1962. Taylor was a friend of Jamieson's and wrote some famous Hunting Books in the 40's & 50's. His books are still in print today.

Sarge

quote:

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Originally posted by Will:
To have either rifle would be heaven. And some say money can't buy happiness!

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Money don't bring happiness. Them nice rifles do! ~~~Suluuq

[This message has been edited by Rusty Gunn (edited 01-05-2002).]