Ross Seyfried. Feb 2015.
On the 15th March James D. Julia will be auctioning the rifles and guns of Elmer Keith, and for anyone with an interest in our rifles it is well worth a look at what they are offering. Whilst I was in Las Vegas for the Antique Arms show in January I had the opportunity to see the rifles myself, 2 in particular stood out to me and they are the .577 and the .476 droplock rifles which were amongst his favourites. These are superb examples of our rifles which bring with them great provenance. I can't expand on Elmer Keith but here is Wiki link!
The .577 Westley Richards with Hand Detachable Locks.
The .476 Westley Richards with Single Selective Trigger and Hand Detachable Locks.
My Thanks to Wes Dillon, head of Rare Firearms division at James D. Julia
Gary Duffey on February 26, 2015 at 8:21 am
These are truly great examples of great rifles with that beautiful patina and use that makes them even more spectacular. Mr. Keith had great volumes of correspondence from all of the famous hunters we know. He was both a student and a doer of things. He guided the likes of Zane Grey and others. I was such a fan of him by 16 I had two S&W .44's, a M70 .338, and a .10 gauge!! I guess he was one of my hero's and I still believe not a bad choice!! I will never forget meeting him at an NRA convention when I was about 17. I have some correspondence with him and when I ordered Sixguns from him he wrote me a long note, upside down, inside the back. What a presence he did have!! "They do not make them like him anymore." I have my eye on something in the auction and it will be very interesting to follow.
Keith Fahl on February 27, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Elmer Keith was always my idol. I started reading him at 13 years old and fell in love with big bores and double rifles. I saw him in 1972 in Salmon Idaho on the way to my first pack in Elk hunt. I also still have a letter from him where he gave me advise for loading my .458 to use on my first safari to Kenya in 1974 where I shot 3 Cape Buffalo. After reading him for all those years it was a real joy to actually handle his doubles at the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show this year. Elmer and his rifles were truly an inspiration to my love of the sport. He was one of a kind.
KF
Simon Clode on February 27, 2015 at 1:59 pm
It is very nice to read these comments on both how inspiring and generous a person he obviously was. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him myself!
Gary Netzer on May 23, 2016 at 10:36 pm
Keith - what caliber Selous rifle did you use for your recent Kudu hunt? Gary
Simon Clode on May 24, 2016 at 2:14 am
Keith used a .425 Westley Richards bolt action rifle, one discovered in January at the Las Vegas antique arms show. And missed by me!!
Larry Blunk on February 28, 2015 at 9:52 am
What a great pair of rifles. I read Keith growing up and his wonderful books served as a great foundation to my passion.
heinz buhlmann on March 3, 2015 at 3:54 am
mr.simon clode first i want to thank you for a wonderful and fine blog
the westley Richards droplock guns,shotguns and doublerifles are without any question the finest double guns ever made.in Germany i have used and seen many pre 1940s droplock double rifles in diffrent calibres,and i can tell you this are very well made,for any one With Money to spend on rifles this elmer Keith doubles are one very good Investment.i have a 470.droplock westley and i have used it on 27 african safaris from the hot and wet jungles and swamps of west and Central africa to Tanzania and South,and i can tell you droplock double rifles are made for shooting and hunting.i have also many H&H and purdey double rifles,but this were often made one time shikar and safari Hunters,often Rich Indian,with no or little KNOWLEDGE on hunting guns.
sincerely
h.b
berlin
Simon Clode on March 3, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Thank you for your kind words, said obviously with experience. I hope your 470 can have many more safari's!
Kind Regards.