The money-spinning potential of aeroplanes in Africa had occurred to him in 1928 when, answering an urgent call to outfit a safari for Edward, Prince of Wales, he flew over the Rift Valley for the first time. Was the rifle in the ’plane with him? At the time, Finch-Hatton was scouting for elephant from the air. Finch-Hatton had lost his life on Wednesday, 13th May 1931 when the Gypsy Moth he was piloting to Nairobi plunged to the ground and burst into flames. But the chances of finding the legendary big game hunter’s rifle were slim. John was hot on the trail of the Denys Finch-Hatton gun for which it was made.

“He’s got it badly.” A good friend since he first ventured into the gun trade, Nick was to play a role in John’s search for something to fill the case for it was a leather rifle case by Lancaster, and it bore the potent initials “D. For years all that case held was promise. He buys an empty case, and is then obsessed with finding something to fit inside. IN THE GUNROOMCollectors are a strange breed. The story of Denys Finch Hatton and his love affair with Karen Blixen (his only known romance) is immortalised by Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in the Academy Award winning film 'Out of Africa' (1985).Īuctioneers of fine modern & antique guns He is buried in the Ngong Hills and an obelisk marks his grave to this day. His taste for adventure led him to learn to fly, and it was on May 14th 1931 that he died in a fatal plane crash in his Gypsy Moth near what is now the Tsavo National Park, Kenya. the Duke of Windsor (the then Prince of Wales). In 1925 he became a professional big game hunter and took numerous wealthy and distinguished clients on safari - including H.R.H. He would spend every Autumn and Winter in Africa doing just that. In 1911 the 24 year old Denys bought land in British East Africa as an investment which would give him the freedom to spend his time hunting.

Educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, Denys was a natural sportsman and scholar of the arts. This rifle is extremely accurate and a target is available.ĭenys Finch Hatton was born in England on April 24th 1887, the son of Henry Stormont Finch Hatton, Earl of Winchelsea and Anne Finch Hatton (nee Coddrington), a daughter of a former Admiral of the British Fleet.

In its original leather red beige lined case with initials D.F.H. Silver escutcheon with D.F.H initials and the date 1925.

Denys Finch Hatton, Big game hunter and lover of Karen Blixen (Out of Africa).Ĭompleted in 1911 and re-barreled in 1928. 450 NE Big Game Rifle which was the personal weapon of Hon. 450 NE (3 1/4) Back action non-ejector (formerly ejector) double barreled big game rifleĭouble Barreled.

Finch hatton out of africa