Many of you are aware of the untimely loss of Owain Lewis, Senior PH for Chifuti Safaris a few years ago. Owain was killed during the follow up of a wounded buffalo on his very last hunt before retirement.

I first met Owain at Mana Angwa camp in August 2010. Owain was hunting with client Mike Schneidereit and I was hunting with my friend Ken Williams and PH Mike Payne. One evening, while all of us were sharing some 21 year old Glenfiddich around the mopane fire, we started discussing double rifles. This led to all of us getting out our doubles and passing them around, discussing the relative merits of each. Owain's rifle was a vintage WJ Jeffery in .475 No. 2 Jeffery NE. This rifle in this caliber reeked of African safaris of years past. It was the standard by which our Searcy and Merkel double were judged. It was pure class.

Fast forward to July 2014. Robbie Lewis, Owain's widow, was visiting friends in the USA, and she gave me a call. She was staying in Virginia Beach, Va,, just 15 minutes from my office. Robbie called me and asked if we could meet to catch up. Of course, I agreed, and spent a very pleasant hour with Robbie discussing past hunts and experiences with Owain. As I was preparing to take my leave, I asked Robbie whatever became of Owain's double rifle. With some sadness, she told me it was for sale in Harare. About a nanosecond later I agreed to buy it, and the rest is history. The rifle is now entrusted to me although it still resides in Harare legally licensed to a close friend. I am working on establishing the provenance of the rifle as I write this. I have contacted Rowan Lewis, Owain's son, and he provided the following:
The rifle was built for an Indian Maharaja, I believe. I do not recall how it found it's way to Africa, but it was later acquired by an older second-cousin of Owain's, Fergus "Gus" DuToit (pronounced doo-toy). Owain as a young man of school age and onwards learned much of his hunting prowess from his mentor and favorite uncle/cousin, Gus's father, "Pop" DuToit, an avid hunter and adventurer of the Rhodesian wildernesses. With my grandfather, Owain and his brothers would often accompany the Dutoit family on family camping vacations including extended hunting adventures.

In time Gus, who was perhaps thirty years senior to Owain, became renowned as a "Great White Hunter." I believe that he was contracted with the British authorities over the Rhodesian and Nyasaland confederacy to "manage" problem elephants in the native territories. I recall Gus telling stories of tracking particular elephant from current Zimbabwe, into current Zambia and even on up to Malawi, on foot, to bring down elephants who had been problematic, had killed a native, etc. Gus was also an avid shotgun and game-bird hunter, another skill he passed down, and the two families were often in national and local shooting competitions. Nearing his last days with sight and hearing failing, Gus had the stock pad extended to better fit Owain's length and passed on the Jeffery No.2 in .475 to Owain who had by that time become a licensed "Zimbabwe Professional Hunter", with the desire that the rifle would remain hunting elephant and remain in the family. It was intended for Gus's own son, Andrew "Andy" DuToit, a very nice lad who sadly was killed at an all too early age as a soldier in the Rhodesian bush war.
Owain's own adventures with the rifle were numerous, however I only ever saw him carrying it while hunting elephants It seemed that hunting elephant was what he felt was most appropriate for the piece, and most honorable. However, in the latter years of Owain's career, and especially during his time with Chifuti, he used the rifle much more than he ever did while I was able to hunt with him, and I believe during buffalo follow ups also. He did not mind wrapping it with Ductape to ensure it fitted appropriately. Such measures were not a demeaning act in his opinion. Function and usefulness and readiness were more important than appearance. One can look pretty but never do any real work, or do some great work and you can still be great despite your looks! "Campfire Hunters," is how he would describe such persons whose talk didn't match their walk. I will try to gather further information on hunts and experiences he may have used the rifle on over the past few years, but this is a pretty good synopsis of it for now.
A photo of the rifle is provided below. I will upload a few more when available.


Having just returned from Zimbabwe yesterday from a hunt with Mike Payne in the Save Conservancy, I am proud to say that I harvested an old cow buffalo with Owain's double. Although I now own several other double rifles, I cannot imagine ever hunting dangerous game with a rifle other than Owain's Jeffery. I feel privileged to own it and hope I can keep Owain's memory alive by hunting with it.

Very Cool!!! Congrats.

the right thing
at just the right time
for right good people

a piece handled by some of the best down through history

and look at you-- fine gun rich history stashed in just the right field of play

you set a high bar for some of the rest of us

Nice snag Admiral!!

Outstanding, for lots of good reasons! So will it have to stay over there with your friend or can you import it back here?

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
Outstanding, for lots of good reasons! So will it have to stay over there with your friend or can you import it back here?

I need to figure out how I can legally import it here - that said, I am in no hurry. It is one less rifle I have to carry to Zimbabwe with me for my next trip. It came with a bunch of ammo as well, so no issue there.

Very neat rifle and even better story to go with it. Well done.

A fine weapon with an even better provenance.

Thank goodness the rifle was saved by a man who can appreciate it. Well played, sir!

Lovely piece of trash as Cal Pappas might say.

Well done Sir!

Admiral, I just sent you info on having a rifle imported into the states.

I'm so glad you bought it, instead of someone of whom we may never hear of it's adventures again. Nice move.

I was privileged to hold this rifle in 2005 when I was hunting Lion in Zim. Our party had asked Owain if we could see his double rifle some time during the safari. One evening after dinner, he brought it out of the case. I was surprised to see the caliber, a little unusual, and I was even more surprised to see a tiger engraved on it. I guess I expected to see some African animal. After reading your explanation of the Indian Maharaja, it makes sense.

Thanks for sharing your story.

A proper passing. I hunted with Kynosh, Owain's tracker, about 1-2 months after his passing. Wish I had known of the double to ask Kynosh questions concerning it. I was hunting with a Wilkes .475 No. 2 and had a relaxing afternoon speaking to Len Taylor at the Chinji camp about the .475 ballistics.

Great caliber, great maker and you, my friend, are a very fortunate individual.

Dutch

Admiral,
Well done Sir! I'm proud for you. Having met Owain, I understand the pride you have for the rifle. I expect to see some better pics soon.
Rick

Fantastic story! I'm even more pleased the rifle has passed to someone who appreciates it's true value and is being used for what it was intended.

glad it will be used for what it was designed to be
PM sent to you

Well done Admiral Dave! Regarding importation, I am sure there are a few folks here who can give you better info, but thanks to klinton, it is much harder now to import guns privately purchased overseas. In the past, all you need it to do was declare it on your customs form and that was it. Nowadays you have to ostensibly acquire an importer's licence and wait for US Customs to grant you the permission. When I was on JFK in 02 we bought a BUNCH of guns in Turkey (Huglus), and it was only after we got back to the states that Customs went nuts because we had not first obtained an importer's license. We had about 400 guns stored in a weapons mag until EACH sailor obtained his import licence (and an FFL to ship it to). Took months. Finally we said "phuck it" and released the guns. We're still waiting for Customs and ATF to come and get us!

Ok, now that is one of the best reports I have ever read here at AR or anywhere else.

Outstanding!


.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
Well done Admiral Dave! Regarding importation, I am sure there are a few folks here who can give you better info, but thanks to klinton, it is much harder now to import guns privately purchased overseas. In the past, all you need it to do was declare it on your customs form and that was it. Nowadays you have to ostensibly acquire an importer's licence and wait for US Customs to grant you the permission. When I was on JFK in 02 we bought a BUNCH of guns in Turkey (Huglus), and it was only after we got back to the states that Customs went nuts because we had not first obtained an importer's license. We had about 400 guns stored in a weapons mag until EACH sailor obtained his import licence (and an FFL to ship it to). Took months. Finally we said "phuck it" and released the guns. We're still waiting for Customs and ATF to come and get us!

Jorge - Ken Buch (Kebco LLC), whose service with Verney-Carron rifles is second to none, is helping me with an import permit. Thanks to Ken and all others who have offered help in this regard - it is sincerely appreciated!

Just a great story, and a great caliber in a classic real African dangerous game double.

By the way Subsailor, I'm putting your ole' Bradshaw to good use. Shot it several time last week. Sending it back to Bailey next week for some tweeking on head spacing. I love carrying that double.

Right on! Great move. Let her continue to breath fire, as intended.

Importing into the US, once you have the process down, is quite easy PM me if needed.

Good show, sir! keep us posted!

Thanks for giving us a look into Zimbabwe`s rich hunting heritage and the life of the fellow who owned that great rifle!

One of the best stories ever. Good job to all involved.

Well done Admiral.

One has to own one asset of use that outlasts ones life time. A double is a perfect example of such an instrument.

This gun has quality legacy history all over it. Your hunting will add to the legacy and history of the gun.

An awesome investment - well done again.

Mike

Class act all the way.

Well done, indeed!

Although my sources initially informed me that this hunt was to be Owain's last before retirement, I have been subsequently informed by Owain's son Rowan that this was not the case. Owain had in fact planned to hunt for 3 more years. Additional information from Rowan is provided below:

"Owain ensured that he had the contract worked out that he could still do his hunts with Chifuti for the year. He had agreed to hunt for them and he was a man of his word. For the years to follow he proposed that he would limit his hunts for Chifuti to a specific selection of clients who had become friends and were already planning to hunt with him as their PH over the next few years. He was tired of risking his life, health, trackers and sacrifice his time away from Robbie for individuals who were totally ill-prepared for the rigors of hunting dangerous game in the Zambezi Valley. He was also frustrated that such folks who often posed a greater risk for the PH's and their tracker teams were being booked anyway, just because they could write the cheque."

Just another glimpse into the life of a great PH, a great man and a friend. We all miss him.

Well done Admiral..
If only honor and tradition like yours would guide more of this sorry world...
Just finished Ian Nychens Months of the Sun he references the Dutoit family a few times.

quote:

Well done Admiral..

YES !!
Well done...

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:
Although my sources initially informed me that this hunt was to be Owain's last before retirement, I have been subsequently informed by Owain's son Rowan that this was not the case. Owain had in fact planned to hunt for 3 more years. Additional information from Rowan is provided below:

"Owain ensured that he had the contract worked out that he could still do his hunts with Chifuti for the year. He had agreed to hunt for them and he was a man of his word. For the years to follow he proposed that he would limit his hunts for Chifuti to a specific selection of clients who had become friends and were already planning to hunt with him as their PH over the next few years. He was tired of risking his life, health, trackers and sacrifice his time away from Robbie for individuals who were totally ill-prepared for the rigors of hunting dangerous game in the Zambezi Valley. He was also frustrated that such folks who often posed a greater risk for the PH's and their tracker teams were being booked anyway, just because they could write the cheque."

Just another glimpse into the life of a great PH, a great man and a friend. We all miss him.

***
Admiral, congratulations on your acquisition of Mr. Owain's double rifle!

I concur with the Admiral's comments regarding Mr. Owain's future hunts. During May of 2012, Mr. Owain advised me that after the 2012 hunting season he was going into semi-retirement. Mr. Owain was going to continue PH'ing for Chifuti, but that he would "limit his hunts to a specific selection of clients who had become friends and were already planning to hunt with him as their PH over the next few years".

Admiral, as I’m sure you already know, that rifle will get more valuable to you the longer you own it, and will make every trophy you take with it make the record book in your mind no matter it’s size! Congratulations sir!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
Admiral, as I’m sure you already know, that rifle will get more valuable to you the longer you own it, and will make every trophy you take with it make the record book in your mind no matter it’s size! Congratulations sir!

Wise words from the Master - many thanks!

Lovely rifle with provenance in an interesting caliber.

What's not to like.

Congratulations and happy hunting.

Chris

Thanks for sharing that story. In the end, we are just curators of these artifacts. It will be well cared for and used lovingly. You are a lucky man.

Beautifully told Manguana !! The friend, father, husband and PH that Owain Lewis was to each of us, fortunate enough to know him, lives on. It was serendipity that you got a visit with Robbie and realized the opportunity to preserve the legacy of his double gun and his history with it. Your the perfect man for the job !!!
I'm so proud that his Jeffery will still get to sound off and "breath fire"… as I know Owain will be listening for her.

I talked with Admiral Dave a couple of days ago about another matter, and he told me more of the story on the double rifle. Amazing, and what a lucky man Dave is! Knowing Dave as I do, that double rifle is in very capable and good hands! Congrats again, Dave!

It is so good to see a piece of history and memories being preserved by one so closely related to them. I come very late in life to Africa compared to so many of you but I do appreciate the stories and personalities involved.
I never had the opportunity to know Owain but for some reason always was saddened by his passing more than others.
Thank you sir for sharing this with us.