Hemingway's Guns- great read indeed

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Rodney Sayre

I was just in NY City at the Beretta store and was amazed to find one of Hemingway's O/U Beretta displayed in the store. I was very pleased apparently he must have owned it while living in Key West for they said he bird hunted in Cuba with it. A must see if you are in NY City.

Wonderful!

Most of Hem's guns have been lost. The fellow who bought his well used model 12 at Abecrombie (sp?) and Fitch bought it for a song. It was well used and after shooting the gun for a while he sold it and it's lost. Hem's famous Griffin and Howe Model 70 30-06 went to his son Patrick. It was stolen and they think it ended up in the IRA. One of his Mannlicher Schoeneurs when to one of Mary and Hem's friends in Ketchum, it was an 1952 carbine.

I have seen photos of the famous Beretta. Hem's Woodmasters are gone. At least one of his 470 double rifles is on display in Cuba...or is it in Key West?

Here is my MS 1952 carbine.

Castro used to shoot one of Hem's O/U's just for grins. I believe that gun is still on display in the Finsa Vigia.

I have no idea what happened to his Superposed....I guess I need to dig into the Hemingway's Guns book some more.

Famous men's guns are exciting. I own a model 08 Colt 380 that was owned by Ray Folger of coffee fame. The interesting thing about the pistol, which is like new, is that Mr. Folger used it to kill an intruder who had entered his back yard. I also own his Parker SBT. Nice, guns with a history. I am a Starbuck's coffee guy tho.

[CSL]

Originally Posted by Steve McCarty

Wonderful!

Most of Hem's guns have been lost.

I have no idea what happened to his Superposed....I guess I need to dig into the Hemingway's Guns book some more.

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In recent years I've heard credible rumors that Hemingway's Superposed still resides not far from the Sun Valley area, and it continues to be carried in the field occasionally by an "Old Hunter"...

Best, CSL
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[Autumn Daze]

Ya that's funny me too and that the owner is a pretty alright guy........

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Christopher Lien

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In recent years I've heard credible rumors that Hemingway's Superposed still resides not far from the Sun Valley area, and it continues to be carried in the field occasionally by an "Old Hunter"...

Best, CSL
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That is great! It stands to reason that Hem, or Mary would have given the gun to an old friend....or maybe a bartender.

I have read the date, but can't recall the year that Mary gave the lion's share of Hem's Idaho guns to Abecrombie and Fitch to re-sell. Those who bought them, many showing hard use, were not told the identity of the original owner. If they had, they would probably have saved them for future sale. Most are lost.

[Bill Murphy]

I am guessing that the gun that Chris alludes to never went through Abercrombie and Fitch after Hemingway's death. Bird hunters are a close knit group.

[Kevin McCormack]

Originally Posted by Rodney Sayre

I was just in NY City at the Beretta store and was amazed to find one of Hemingway's O/U Beretta displayed in the store. I was very pleased apparently he must have owned it while living in Key West for they said he bird hunted in Cuba with it. A must see if you are in NY City.

This may be the gun that surfaced at an obscure auction house outside of Elmira NY years ago. Shown in the catalog lot description was also the leg-o-mutton case for the gun with Hemingway's name on it, and a framed black & white photograph of Hemingway seated on a metal folding chair, surrounded by bird boys and his favorite guide, with a pile of doves just after a shoot in Cuba. As the story was related to me, Ugo Beretta sent the USA rep to the auction specifically to buy the gun so it could be returned for exhibition by Beretta. As I recall the gun sold in the low $20-thousands. The photograph may be worth as much or more than the gun.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

This may be the gun that surfaced at an obscure auction house outside of Elmira NY years ago. Shown in the catalog lot description was also the leg-o-mutton case for the gun with Hemingway's name on it, and a framed black & white photograph of Hemingway seated on a metal folding chair, surrounded by bird boys and his favorite guide, with a pile of doves just after a shoot in Cuba. As the story was related to me, Ugo Beretta sent the USA rep to the auction specifically to buy the gun so it could be returned for exhibition by Beretta. As I recall the gun sold in the low $20-thousands. The photograph may be worth as much or more than the gun.

Hemingway's Beretta O/U is a famous gun. I saw a detailed article on it not too long ago....a few years. I do not know where the gun is now. Hem bought it himself. I believe it had two triggers. Fully engraved. He left an O/U in Cuba and Castro used to go to the home there, borrow it and shoot it. I think he returned it.

He also used a Browning Superposed. (Maybe that was the gun with two triggers?) I bought both an old model 12 and well used Superposed so I could shoot birds like Hemingway used to. Now I need a boat to fish in the Caribbean and a few best sellers.

[Robert Delk]

I think Jim Austin owned that Beretta years ago and had it for sale at Kittery Point.

[MarketHunter]

Rodney,

Sometimes you do need those extra shells. I recall the occasion I shot at a deer five times with an 870 Slug Gun before I got it killed. Hit it on the run with the first shot and knocked it down, then the crazy part started. It's a long story.......


Destry

[charlie cleveland]

im one of them fellas that need the 2 nd and 3 rd shot a lot....but aint shot nothing that holds 3 shells for a long time other than ,y old drilling...charlie