Question on firearms

[Goldwyrm]

Perhaps the 1903 Mannlicher-Schönauer:

"Ernest Hemingway frequently used the rifle, and mentions it in some of his writings, most notably The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber. WDM Bell, a prominent elephant (ivory) hunter in Africa in the early 20th century, also used the rifle in its original 6.5x54 chambering with considerable success. The ability of the diminutive 6.5x54 cartridge to take the largest and most dangerous of the big game species, such as African Elephant and Cape Buffalo, was due in the main to the high sectional density of the 6.5 mm projectiles used in the rifle, although precise placing of the shot was imperative. Because the original factory loads for the 6.5x54 used projectiles that were long and heavy (160 grains) relative to their diameter, they proved capable (in solid form) of very deep penetration through muscle and bone. This, coupled with the relatively low recoil of the fired cartridge, facilitated accurate shot placement into vital organs such as the heart and particularly the brain."

from wikipedia-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannlicher-Sch%C3%B6nauer

Also look at caliber options here (the ones prior to 1956 below):

The .458 Winchester was America’s first factory-loaded elephant cartridge. Prior to its introduction in 1956, American hunters who ventured to Africa either used American-built rifles in .375 H&H (which some considered a bit small for elephant and such), a custom-built rifle chambered for a wildcat such as the .450 Watts, or they bought an expensive English-built rifle chambered for a cartridge of English design. Then along came the Model 70 in .458 Magnum, which not only duplicated the performance of the ever-popular .470 Nitro Express, it cost but a fraction of the price of a British double in that caliber. The .458 Winchester went on to become the most popular backup cartridge among African professional hunters, and to this day it is the dangerous game cartridge by which all others are judged.

From:
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aasttopriflecar.htm

The .348 was also given a range of bullet weights, such that, on introduction, the Model 71 was touted as "The Universal Big-Game Rifle."

from:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/model71_info.htm

Pre War Big Game Rifle in 9.3x62 Caliber (Mauser)

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=83445156

[TadPortly]

This might be of interest:

http://www.african-hunter.com/the_firearm_files.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah_pistol

Or of course you can delve into the world of custom manufacture:

http://www.hollandandholland.com/~newyork/usedguns/9989898919276.htm

http://www.hollandandholland.com/~newyork/usedguns/9964646415153.htm

[WillieB]

Actually that Mauser AT rifle would probably get you killed fairly quick if you used it for hunting. That is if you could carry it for more than 20 yards.

When hunting big game you don't want penetration but stopping power. That steel jacketed round will simply punch a hole through the beastie, after which it will -slightly annoyed now- try to pulverise you.

I suppose that in the 1920's you would still be using the  .500 or .600 Nitro, almost certainly from an Express double juxtaposé. We are talking about dangerous big game here aren't we?

No bolt/slide/or pump action rifles since they are prone to technical malfunctions in adverse conditions.. With an Express rifle you've only got two shots but  at least you are sure of them. In fact, quite a few  hunters continued to carry huge blackpowder muzzleloaders (2 and 4 gauge) up to the 20's.

[v_lazy_dragon]

Breechloading 4-bores were also available and used (If you look on the 'african hunter' link; there is an article on building one. If I recall correctly he is using a set of notes from the late 30's as a reference)

That would be my personal weapon of choice for hunting REALLY big game (Elephant to dinosaur sort of scle) as anything will go down when hit by 2 barrels of .962" lead!

For slightly smaller game, and a weapon which is less likely to destroy your shoulder, something like a .577 double rifle. I know that 'sportified' Martinit-Henry's were used by some folks even until quite late.

There is also the Paradox gun as a possibility:
"A gun made by Holland & Holland with the front two inches of the barrel rifled, intended to be used as both rifle and shotgun. Invented by Col George Vincent Fosbery VC in the late 19th century, it was thus named because of the "paradox" implicit in the design, being neither a true smoothbore gun nor a true rifle." is what wikipedia has to say about it

[Gluteus Maximus]

There is also the Paradox gun as a possibility:
"A gun made by Holland & Holland with the front two inches of the barrel rifled, intended to be used as both rifle and shotgun. Invented by Col George Vincent Fosbery VC in the late 19th century, it was thus named because of the "paradox" implicit in the design, being neither a true smoothbore gun nor a true rifle." is what wikipedia has to say about it

Would that work in practice? I'd assume 2" of rifling wouldn't be enough for decent accuracy & prolonged use of it in shotgun mode would quickly erode the rifling anyway.

I'm probably wrong, though  

[Poliorketes]

The Mauser Tankgewehris not useful for hunting unless you want to shoot from a fixed position. it's a notorious collarbone-breaker and has way to much recoil. Should stop a Triceratops, though.

The main german hunting arms factory pre-WW2 wasn't Mauser but Sauer (today famous for automatic pistols but still in the hunting buisiness). Though many hunting-guns from other manufacturers are called a Mauser because they use the Mauser-system (as did the US-Army Remington).

[v_lazy_dragon]

Would that work in practice? I'd assume 2" of rifling wouldn't be enough for decent accuracy & prolonged use of it in shotgun mode would quickly erode the rifling anyway.

I'm probably wrong, though  

I think they went through a breif period of being popular, but then died down. I agree that it doesn't seem overly practical, so perhaps that was the reason?

[warrenpeace]

Boy, this thread takes me back in time.  Back about 1980 I joined the National Rifle Association and bought my first rifle and read a lot of gun magazines.  I remember reading about that professional hunter that Goldwyrm's quote was about who successfully used a small calibre bolt action rifle for elephant.  But most of the articles in the magazines were full of awe for the huge calibre rifles in the .475 to .600 range, especially the double barrell breachloading kind.

Since this is about miniatures, I would suggest that a party hunting for rhino, hippo, elephant, or Cape buffalo (or dinosaurs if that's where this is going) would have at least a couple of hunters handling big double barrell rifles.  Perhaps a third member of the group would have a big bolt action rifle.  Bearers might be carrying another big double barrel rifle, another bolt action rifle or two (including at least one in smaller caliber), and a couple of shotguns (opportunities for smaller game).

[WillieB]

For slightly smaller game, and a weapon which is less likely to destroy your shoulder, something like a .577 double rifle. I know that 'sportified' Martinit-Henry's were used by some folks even until quite late.

Absolutely right. I've got a double barreled Kodiak in .58 (muzzleloader) that I don't hesitate to use for wild boar.
A .577 Boxer packs quite a wallop.

There is also the Paradox gun as a possibility:
"A gun made by Holland & Holland with the front two inches of the barrel rifled, intended to be used as both rifle and shotgun. Invented by Col George Vincent Fosbery VC in the late 19th century, it was thus named because of the "paradox" implicit in the design, being neither a true smoothbore gun nor a true rifle." is what wikipedia has to say about it

Actually the paradox rifling worked quite well considering that you would use it on short (er) distances. Soft lead bullets especially when started by something like 100-150 grains of FFFg expand quite a lot when fired. They might even have had a slight hollow base like the Minie bullet.
Using it as a shotgun would indeed ruin the rifling rapidly.

[Vandragon]

 I know this thread is ancient, but I noticed no one mentioned the Holland and Holland .600 NE. This was the most powerful hunting rifle from 1903 to 1958, when Weatherby released the .460 magnum.

[leadfool]

Purdy, Holland and Holland and several others made fine Double Rifles.  The Germans produced Drillings, which are 3 barrelled weapons.  400 to 600 "Nitro" was the usual caliber.  Even now African hunters will take a Double rifle, in a modern cartridge such as 416 Rigby. 

Myself, if shooting at a T-Rex, I want a Jeep mounted Browning .50 caliber HMG.  My Porter can carry a flame-thrower.  One can never have too much firepower.

[Skrapwelder]

I know its a fowling piece but I'm sure it could be set up to shoot a slug.

[Doomhippie]

Is this the prototype of some way too early anti aircraft gun or a piece of artillerie???

[Plynkes]

Some sort of punt gun, ain't it? If so then it's a giant boat-mounted shotgun used for killing as many waterfowl as possible with one shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Vt0mr2sjE&eurl=http://www.shorpy.com/node/5356

[Skrapwelder]

Yes its a punt gun. They mount one on a wagon in one of the Tremors movies to shoot the giant carnivorous worms.