Being a history teacher--well, history is a good place to start. Since I didn't have any knowledge of prior owners and there was no information available from the seller, wrote to the firm of John Dickson in Edinburgh. (This was before the mid-1990s merges of Dickson and MacNaughton). A helpful reply from A. Nelson was a dream come true First was a copy of the factory ledger stating the particulars of the my rifle.

   My rifle was made for Captain J. A. Mackenzie of the 1st Inverness-shire Artillery Volunteers. Delivered on May 9, 1890, the rifle was regulated to shoot 136 grains of Curtis and Harvey's number 6 black powder to propel a 340-grain bullet at a velocity of 1925fps. The barrels were a standard 28 inches long, had 3-inch chambers, with a bead front sight and a three-leaf rear sight with the leaves graduated for 100, 200, and 300 yards. The hammers were of the rebounding type. This nice feature means the ham­mers do not have to be brought back to half-cock before opening the action. After con­tacting the strikers (firing pins) the hammers rebound to a position away from the strik­ers and hold there. A stalking safety is provided so the hammers lock in the rebound po­sition to prevent an accidental discharge.

      Additionally, Mr. Nelson suggested I write to the National Museum of Scotland to obtain information on Mr. MacKenzie, the original owner, as well as for A.J. King (the name on the lid). The National Museum houses Scotland's military records. This I did and a most friendly reply came from Ms. Edith Phillip in the library.

   Mrs. Phillip supplied the information above on Mr. MacKenzie. As a member of a vol­unteer group, not much is listed. Much more was given about A.J. King. Alexander James King was of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. He served with distinc­tion in the Sahara, Egypt, and Nile River Expeditions, South African Boer War (including actions at Reitfontein, Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange River, then at Wittebergen) and World War I (France and Belgium). He earned several awards and medals becoming a Major in 1906 and retiring a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry.

   Next, I contacted my friends at Griffin & Howe in Bernardsville, New Jersey, to bring the Mortimer up to specs. Joe Prather (President) and Paul Chapman (vice- President) agreed the best thing to do the action was to leave it alone. Enough case color re­mained to give it an aged look with the quality of character. The barrels were to be given a good blacking, the recoil pad replaced, and the stock de-oiled and a new hand-rubbed English oil finish applied.

   A few months later the Mortimer returned and the results were fantastic. I was pleased but not surprised. What else could the finest custom guns shop turn out as a completed product? My thanks to Griffin and Howe.

   Concurrently with the work on the rifle, the interior of the case was relined in red felt to duplicate the original. The turnscrew and striker key (to remove the firing pins) had ebony handles added, a cleaning rod was added to replace the long-missing original, and the oil bottle and box of original ammunition (that came with the rifle) were fitted. In doing the work it was noted the leather name plate bearing the name, A.J. King, was added at a date later than the case's construction. Apparently Mr. MacKenzie did not hold on to his rifle as it came into the possession of Mr. King at a later date. Or, could it have been a gift? The only way to possibly find out would be to locate decedents of these two gentlemen and hope family history records would turn up something. But, to find a specific MacKenzie in Scotland would be akin to locating a specific Jones in New York. Perhaps this will be an endeavor during my retirement.

   Now for the shooting. Since this was my first double rifle I didn't have much informa­tion to begin with. I assumed all I had to do was to load the cigar-sized cases with 136 grains of 2F GOEX, cast and seat a bullet of approximately 340 grains, and fire away. How wrong I was! (Over 100 years ago riflemen who had a preference for a .500 caliber arm had four choices as to loadings: 340 and 380 grain bullets with 136 grains of powder [most likely Curtis and Harvey's number 6] or 440 and 480 grain bullets with 142 grains of powder. The latter two loadings were also available in a 3 1/4-inch case for lower pressure and were "long range heavy game" loads.)

   My first group at 50 yards was about 10 inches to an even foot in size! I won't repeat the complexities of regulating a double rifle, but o make a long story short, I tried 2F, 1F, duplex loads of the above with smokeless, Pyrodex, then 3031 and 4198. The black powder loads averaged 1650 to 1700fps and accuracy was the pits. Pyrodex was even worse! I didn't spend much time with duplex loads but, knowing what I do now, could probably have made them work by regulating the velocity to a higher level. 3031 was very erratic as to velocity as many unburned kernels remained in barrels. The light bullet did not generate enough heat and pressure to efficiently burn all the powder.

   IMR 4198 was where the experimentation ended. Beginning with 45 grains and working up in one grain increments I was able to see the bullet holes in the targets come together as the velocity increased. When the velocity was too high, the holes be­gan to move apart--but now in a cross firing pattern. The final load was 55 grains of 4198, a wad of toilet tissue to keep the powder held firmly against the Federal 215 primer, and a 440-grain bullet. Muzzle velocity averaged 1860fps and muzzle energy 3420fp. John Taylor's knock out value at the muzzle averaged 60 which was far better than a .375 H&H with 41.

   "A 440-grain bullet is 100 grains heavier than the original and it is common knowl­edge that bullet weight must be kept to the original weight for proper regulation" (I can hear dozens of readers saying this as I sit here). It is time to throw one more wrench into the already confusing procedures of regulating a black powder double rifle.

   By the turn of the century it was evident that smokeless powder was here to stay. (I know some readers may disagree with this!) However, there were countless thousands of black powder rifles--black powder double rifles--in use. The English (and Scottish) had to develop a smokeless powder cartridge that could be accurately fired from a dou­ble regulated with black powder. How they did it I don't know, but for a .500 black pow-der express cartridge a load of 55-grains of Cordite and a 440-grain bullet seemed to regulate. This became the standard loading for nitro-for -black cartridges of .500 caliber. (The same principle applied to other express rounds--.360, .400, .450, .577.)

   Note the powder charge is the same both for the English cordite and 4198. Yes, they can be used on an 1:1 ratio for the low pressure nitro-for-black loadings. This makes loading such rounds quite easy.

   The formula (40% of the original black powder load of 4198) worked and my Morti­mer rifle shot to 2 inch groups at 50 yards. Not bolt-action telescope-sight accuracy lev­els but better than acceptable for a double rifle. In fact, if a new $100,000 Holland & Holland double shoots to 2 inches at 50 yards that is what you'll get.

   Now, with everything done, it was time to go hunting. But where? How about Zim­babwe!

Part II: The Eland

   The flight from Anchorage to Seattle was 31 1/2 hours and quite comfortable. The 5 1/2 hours from Seattle to New York was a bit long. Then, after several hours in the Big Apple a 14 1/2 hour flight to Johannesburg was almost unbearable. I was so tired I spent the night at the Holiday Inn (1/2 mile by shuttle bus from the airport) to rid myself of a terrible case of jet lag. It is amazing what a few good meals and a soft bed can do to uplift one's spirits.

   The next morning it was off to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe--only a bit over an hour's flight. Bulawayo is the second largest city in the country, with Harare the largest. I chose Bu­lawayo as it is much easier to drive out of and all aspects of international travel seem to be easier in a smaller environment.

   Neil Duckworth was to be my PH (Professional Hunter). He is the son of Barrie Duckworth, one of Africa's most dedicated and respected hunters. As Duckworth's Mok­ore Ranch was over booked Neil and I were flown to the Marakanga Ranch of Jerry and Rose Whitehead. Marakanga is in the southeast section of the country, called the Lowveld, near the town of Chiredzi. I'll save the particulars of the hunt for a future article as the hunt was all-in-all a good one. There were a few negative aspects that folks should know of in order to be well informed if they plan for an African hunt. (I know it may be beyond the scope of this journal for a story of African hunting, but if Steve OKs it, I'll write it.)

   I landed at the Whitehead's private airstrip in Jerry's Cessna 210. After introductions to Rose (wife), Brian and Tammy (son and daughter-in-law) and the staff, I settled in to a comfortable hut made from stone walls about four feet high with a thatched roof set over a frame of wooden poles with a steep pitch. The open space between the roof and walls were covered by heavy wire to keep out leopards, bats, large snakes, lions, tigers, and bears (Oh, my!).

   The first day of the hunt was spent driving the ranch to get accustomed to the geog­raphy and see the hunting areas, water holes (pans and dams), and view the abun­dance of wildlife. I brought my rifle just in case bud did not do any shooting that day ex­cept to shoot a few targets to show my new-found friends I was somewhat capable with a rifle.

   The second day was to be one that all hunters dream of. My priority animal on this plains game hunt was a greater kudu. Neil, however, suggested that eland be top prior­ity as they are of greater rarity and more difficult to hunt. (I learned later the animals I sought were prepaid to the Whiteheads and therefore my hunter wanted me to shoot an eland [$1500 fee] first and a kudu [$600 fee] second. Hunting is a business.

   First light in Zimbabwe is about 6am and we were off in an antiquated Land Rover that was, surprisingly, quite comfortable and reliable. After a breakfast of bacon, toast, coffee, cereal, grapefruit and orange juice I was ready for a long day.

   Mornings in Zimbabwe are quite cold as June is mid- winter there. Being from Alaska I enjoy the coolness of the 45 degree (F) mornings. It was quite humorous to see Neil in insulated Carharts, gloves, winter hat, and a scarf around his face!

   After an hour's slow drive a tracker (dressed in the same manner as Neil) pointed to some eland tracks that crossed our path. It is amazing how the black African trackers can see (much less follow) one track out of hundreds. In addition, they know how big the animal is, his sex, how old the track is, and even where his destination will be!

   The Whiteheads have a policy on their ranch of not shooting animals from a vehicle. That also follows my ethic. Sadly today many "hunters" ride in a vehicle until an animal is seen and only shoot from the confines of their auto.

   We departed the Land Rover knowing we were in for a long stalk. The tracks were made several hours earlier-- perhaps midnight. It was a small herd of young bulls with a larger bull with them. Off we went with the tracker in the lead, Neil, myself, and two skinners bringing up the rear. I mentioned to Neil again that since an eland was not my first priority that I only wanted a good trophy--one in the mid-30-inch range. He agreed.

   We walked quietly but briskly for about three hours when the tracker motioned for us to slow down. The eland herd was less than a mile away and slowing down as the sun was well up in the sky now and it was getting hot. They would be resting soon and would continue to lie down until late afternoon when the temperature began to cool off. We had to move very slow and careful as they would be quite wary and listening atten­tively.

   We covered between 1/2 and 3/4 of a mile during the next hour--always keeping the wind in our face. Then, through the brush, the tracker became motionless and was pointing with his finger. The herd could be seen a few hundred yards ahead. A few shadows, that's all. Where some were moving about slowly, it was certain others were lying in rest. The trick now was to move in and locate the largest bull.

   The skinners remained behind as did the tracker as his job was done. Neil and I moved closer, crawling much of the way. When the crawl was not slow, or low, enough we crab- walked with our rifles across our lap. The wind remained in our favor and in another hour we moved to shooting distance. (At times like these sometimes I often wish I had a .300 Weatherby and a 4-12x scope. That feeling only lasts a few seconds then I bring myself back to the reality of what I enjoy most about hunting--the stalk and being in close proximity to wild and free animals.)

   Neil pointed out the best bull and wrote in the sand with his finger he would go about 33-34 inches (which was acceptable). He was lying in the tall grass not quite side-on but not quartering away either. He was chewing grass and looking casually from right to left. Beyond were a few others--lying or milling about slowly. Our stalk was good as they didn't know were there.

   I began to position myself for the shot when the old bull looked away. I remained motionless as he turned in my direction. As he looked away I slid the stalking safeties off. Then I held back the front trigger and silently moved the right hammer to full cock. I did the same to the rear trigger and left hammer.

   I had to shoot from the sitting position I settled in to from the time-consuming crab walk. The distance was about 30 yards. The sights were lined up on the old bull's left shoulder when the right barrel spoke. The eland jumped up and Neil shouted, "Shoot him again!" A quick second shot from the left barrel brought the old bull down with a hit to the spine.

   Approaching the downed bull I was finally able to notice and appreciate his immen­sity. About 1500 pounds and steel blue in color with horns somewhat worn from years of wear. Bull eland turn from brown to blue with old age and this grand old man was a fine example. My shooting, however, was less than fine.

   In shooting from a sitting position in high grass with open sights my first shot hit a blade of grass and was deflected nearly three feet to the left and passed through the thick muscles in the eland's neck. The 440-grain slug at 1850fps passed through 15 inches of muscle and did little damage. It was the quick second shot that saved us from a long follow up and the possibility of a lost animal.

   At first I was a bit disappointed as the eland's horns came up short at 27 1 /2 inches. I would not have shot if I had known this but perhaps Neil made an honest error in judg­ment or perhaps the trophy fee caused the optimistic judgment. Then the reality of the situation hit me. I had the best stalk of my life and took the eland with a 107 year old rifle with open sights. Never again, I vowed to myself, would I be ruled by the tape measure.