This was posted earlier this year by a man on the nitro express forums.
"I have been in love with the following quote since 1994 when I first read it in Peter Capstick's biography of John Taylor, " A Man Called Lion." For those who arn't familiar with it. . . here's a brief background.
C. Fletcher Jamison, a Rhodesian professional hunter in the 1930's & 40's, was a friend of Taylor. He supplied the photos for Taylor's " African Rifles & Cartridges." Because of a wrist/hand deformity Jamison sometimes had a spot of bother in handling his Holland double. . . especially when excess pressure caused the action to be strained and difficult to open. After years of service he finally disposed of the Holland and purchased a Jeffrey .500 magazine. Behind the butt-plate of the Holland he placed the following letter. . which was not found until more than 60 years had elapsed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Zambezi Valley, 14th July 1934
This rifle, No. 17892 .500/.450 has been one of my best friends. She has pulled me through many an encounter with Elephants, Rhino & Buffalo. She is one of the most accurate rifles in the world & since being in my hands has achieved a very fine record. I am positive that as far as her record is concerned she is second to none. I have shot with her the following species of animals: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, Eland, Roan, Impala, Warthog, Bush-Pig, Crocodiles, Snakes, Hartebeast[sic], Baboons, Duiker & Bush-Buck. But I have used her mostly for Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo & Hippo, & find she is all that one could ask for.
My battery of rifles consists of one Double barrel .577 Express, one D.B. .500/.450 Express, one 6.5 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, & a .25/.20 Winchester. This I consider as the most efficient battery of rifles any Big Game Hunter could wish for.
Whoever may be the proud possessor of this rifle after I am finished with it please treasure it for my sake.
C. Fletcher Jamison, Big Game Hunter"
I thought that was pretty interesting. Has anyone ever found anything under grip caps? I have! Along with the usual name and phone number, I found what I believe to be a drivers license number under the grip cap of a spanish economy double. I once heard a guy sold a gun of his and he forgot to take out a decent stash of money he had in the buttstock. He ended up selling the gun to a guy for quite a bit less then he had in the buttstock! Makes you think twice about checking the buttstock before selling or trading your pre owned guns
You never know what you might find. I hear those old hunting and fishing licenses are going for a pretty penny on some online auction sites :p
