Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 208: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

190 weigh from eight and one-half pounds to twelve pounds, sometimes more. I shot a double-barrel chambered for the well-known Rigby .350 which weighed eight and three-fourths pounds but which was so beautifully balanced that it actually felt light- er than my 7 mm. Mauser. Nevertheless, it is my opinion that the double rifle of .300 to .400 caliber can be built much lighter—and still be quite safe— than the English gunmakers are building them at present. The recoil might be somewhat increased, it is true, but in hot countries I should prefer re- coil to weight. The right barrel is hie master barrel and even from a machine rest the left barrel shoots some- what off, no matter how expert the maker, the amount varying with the range, intensity of car- tridge, design of bullet, etc. At ordinary shooting ranges for which the particular cartridge is designed this off-shooting by the left barrel will be of no con- sequence in the field. I am partial to the 9 mm. Luger as a sidearm when hunting dangerous game on account of its greater penetration. Not that I consider any type of pistol will take the place of the rifle, but one occasionally has use for the sidearm in a pinch, Several Ameri- cans who hunt much in Africa have discarded the .45 Auto Colt for the Luger, having found that the .45 lacks penetration For a shotgun I would recommend a high grade L. C. Smith or Fox, two shotguns with which I am familiar. They should have either 28- or 30-inch barrels—the latter pair points better; with two and three-fourths-inch chambers, both full choke, and 20 gage. I like the Western Super X two and three- fourths-inch shell, shooting an ounce of shot for large fowl.’ In shot, fives should do for peafowl and sixes for jungle. cock. Take along a supply of shells loaded with the solid 20-gage ball, in case of the unexpected tiger. A friend in India reports having made a splendid load by first waxing a lethal ball and inserting it in the ordinary Super X case, after ‘having taken out the shot. made with flanges of soft metal on the surface of the ball which allows them to be shot out of a full-choked gun. Any English dealer can supply you with these balls. Just ask for “Lethal 20-gage balls.” I have gotten to the point where I offer you the above with the utmost diffidence, though it comes as the result of personal experience and observation. I have had my arguments, my experience and that of my friends and comrades, set at naught by certain ballistic and firearm experts, who showed me on paper just how foolish my arguments and claims for the double-barrel, the Luger and certain cartridges were. The fact that these guns have been in the hands of thousands of sportsmen for many years and performed satisfactorily seems to be of no significance. Last winter in Chicago I heard the double-barreled rifle denounced as being a relic of a bygone age—something left behind, far behind, in the march of progress. Not being a ballistic engi- neer nor an expert on firearms I did not go beyond venturing the remark that this type of weapon had served me pretty well during a somewhat hectic decade. I think we of Ask Adventure service try to give you largely the results of our actual experiences in the countries we handle, whether it applies to guns or employment or whatever the desideratum. We bave no ax to grind—no particular brand of fire- arms, shells or equipment to foist upon you. These lethal balls are © Adventure There is no charge for this service. It is a plea- sure to answer questions set out so clearly as yours. When you get something for nothing, don’t make the other fellow pay the post- age on it. The Belgian Congo \ ANYTHING but a health resort: Request:—“T have an opportunity offered me by a firm to go down to the Belgian Congo (West Africa), alternating between the towns of Matadi and Kinshassa on the Congo River, with most of my time spent at Matadi for a period of two years or more if desired. Any information you could give me, especially as regards outfitting, climate as it affects whites, and living conditions, would be greatly appreci- ated.” — Reply, by Mr. Simpson:—The Belgian Congo is a bit out of my territory, which extends only as far as Calabar, but I can at least tell you this much; that a two-year stretch on the West Coast of Africa is too long. I would not advise any man to try to do more than a year at a time, with at least four months rest at home between trips. I should imagine the firm that sends you out would give you all the information you desire about an outfit that would be in keeping with the kind of job you are going to hold down. The weather in West Africa is of two kinds. It rains a lot between March and October or thereby, and it doesn’t rain at all the rest of the time. But it’s always hot. The climate, as may be gathered from the first paragraph of this letter, is very bad. And there’s no use wrapping up that fact in any kind of silver paper to make it look better than it is. White men can stand it—a little at a time—and even that is sometimes too much. This is not in- tended to discourage but to caution. No man can fool with West Africa—any part of it—and not pay for the privilege. Living conditions vary in different localities. But T assume you will “‘live in” at the firm’s headquarters and this, as a general thing, is comfortable enough. Discomfort begins when you have to do a lot of trudging and camping out in the bush. Just by way of a few general hints: Select your sun-helmet very carefully; as big and as light a helmet as you can get. See that your rain coat is a really good one. Rain boots, too. Don’t stint on the uniform cases you buy. Get them strong, air-tight and white-ant-proof. Don’t take anything of leather except shoes and a_ belt. Leather is not much good for anything in the tropics. Don’t take anything you really value with you. The natives will steal it sooner or later. Be careful to avoid night chills. In spite of all other advice to the contrary, leave liquor severely alone. Concentrate on quinine. Don’t rush. Don’t get excited. A quiet mind and an even, steady pace in all things is perhaps the best advice I can give any man who hopes to beat the game on the West Coast of Africa. Good luck to you! COMIGDIOOKSEEO