This rifle comes from the time of great European safari hunters in Africa, its historic nature cannot be overstated. Once owned by famous British hunter and adventurer Denys Finch Hatton, this rifle surely saw much use taking all types of game in Kenya throughout the 1920s. Hatton was a celebrity in his day and was made even more famous by the 1937 book (and subsequent 1985 film) "Out of Africa" written by his once lover Baroness Karen Blixen under the pen name Isak Dinesen. Hatton was amongst the best hunters and guides of his day and was even the guide to the then Prince of Wales (later H.R.M., Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor) with his long time friend (and ex-husband to his lover) Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke. The rifle is accompanied by letters from J. H. Esmeyer of South Africa attesting to the history of ownership, stating that it was left by Hatton to his Niece, Lady Diana Tiarks whom in turn presented the rifle to him when her and her husband returned to England around 1954. It appears, however, that the rifle had a different original owner as the inscription shield in the stock shows a coronet with seven pearls over an "M". The original owner cannot be confirmed without a doubt, but the most likely candidate is Sir Charles Markham, 2nd Baronet of Arusha, East Africa, who was a close friend and hunting companion of Hatton and likely presented the rifle to him upon leaving Kenya for London. Hatton would have proceeded to use this fine rifle until his untimely death in an aviation accident in 1931, aged only 44. The rifle appears to have been put together during the period of use with parts from three different rifles. The consignors notes list the stock and action coming from the Steyr factory circa 1906, a Belgian proofed barrel with Steyr serial number "827" dating to circa 1900 rechambered by George Gibbs' firm to .256 Gibbs Magnum with serial number "B3991" around 1920, and the triggerguard and double set triggers from a Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine dating to circa 1924 with Gibbs serial number "B6769". This rifle has the been there, done that look of a true African hunting rifle. The rifle itself has a blued steel barrel with a flip-up hooded blade front sight, two folding leaf rear sight, "GEORGE GIBBS. BRISTOL & 35 SAVILE ROW. LONDON. W" marked between the rear sight and barrel band, "FOR/GIBBS/.256/MAGNUM/CARTRIDGE/ONLY" at the breech, and London nitro proofs. The barrel band is also part of the takedown mechanism for the rifle. The blued action still shows nearly all of the original markings, which are only absent where it has been drilled and tapped for the side-mounted German style claw mount which holds an Aldis Bros. Ltd. scope and the tang has a flip-up peep sight. The front bridge is marked "PATENT/MANNLICHER/SCHOENAUER/M.1905" and also shows an English "crown/V" proof. The rifle has the aforementioned double set triggers and triggerguard numbered "B6769". Well-figured, multi-point checkered pistol grip stock with dual sling swivels, removable hard rubber grip cap with small compartment beneath, the previously mentioned inscription overall, and orange rubber recoil pad. Included with the rifle is a slew of documentation compiled by the consignor as well as a number of articles, including one in "Sporting Classics" from 2022 and an article in "Hangfire" the newsletter for the New Zealand Antique Arms Association. Also included is a shipping box, a DVD copy of the film "Out of Africa", and copies of the following seven books: "African Adventures" by Frederick B. Patterson; "Baron Blixen: The Man Whom Women Loved" by Ulf Aschan; "a Breath from the Veldt" by J. G. Mills; "African Hunter" by Baron Von Blixen-Finecke; "Too Close to the Sun" by Sara Wheeler; "Isak Dinesen: The Life of Karen Blixen" by Judith Thurman; "Out of Africa" by Isak Dinesen. The final inclusions are a wood and leather Gibbs takedown case with a matching coronet/"M" on the lid, cleaning tools, four boxes of likely 50 each .256 Gibbs Magnum cartridges, five 10 round boxes of .256 Gibbs Magnum, and one 10 round box of 6.5 Mannlicher cartridges. Provenance: Denys Finch Hatton; Lady Diana Tiarks; J. H. Esmeyer; Property of a Gentlemen

Fine as used in the bush of Eastern Africa, with 60% plus of the blue finish remaining on the metal surfaces, a few areas showing spotting and mild oxidation, and mild overall handling evidence. The stock has been repaired with a professionally made plate creating a mechanical hold around a crack off the right side of the action. Otherwise the stock shows numerous mild dings and scratches, high edge wear, and overall sharp checkering. The case is very good. Much of the ammunition appears to still be factory sealed and the rest appears to be very good. The magazine box is slightly loose, otherwise mechanically fine. Rifles with stories like this one do not often come along, do not pass up the opportunity to own this historic rifle from one of the most famous hunter of the "Golden Age" of safari hunting in Africa!