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Corbett's .275 Rigby that he used to kill the Chowgarh tigress, at what, eight feet? Heck, I actually held that Corbett rifle, or its copy, at the SCI Convention years ago, and saw it there again this February. I can still feel it in my hand, and I'd trade my house straight across for it today and be happily homeless." From somewhere in the Chobe a hippo grunted. An elephant trumpeted back. No one jumped in, so I continued. "I actually own my dream shotgun. It's an old Model 12 that's seen better days. The wood's been replaced without much attention to detail. The cut-down barrel sports both a Simmons rib and a Poly-Choke, and the whole thing has an overly polished reblue. It's a Louisiana duck gun, and even though I'm not likely to ever hunt ducks, I carefully picked it out from Grits Gresham's estate. He was a boyhood hero, and I was proud to become acquainted to him later in life. I wouldn't sell that shotgun for a million or trade it for the deed to this world." Then the guy who shot the elephant started up again. We rightfully yielded the floor. I'll likely never have a chance at the Corbett, but I do hold faint hope to find a rifle carried by Ruark or Selby or both, although not one of those that first passed through Bell. I'd happily sell everything but my dogs or Grit's old Model 12 to get it. Anyway, those are my dream guns. What are yours? n Editor's Note: The author often represents collectors and estates when it comes time for them to sell fine firearms. Just after this column was prepared, he received on consignment two of Jack O'Connor's rifles— a .458 Winchester Magnum built by Al Biesen and the .416 Rigby Magnum that Jack used to take his best Cape buffalo, finest lion, and only elephant. Both will enter the market soon, unless he can scratch enough money together to keep one of them for himself. Inquiries can be sent to tuskhunter@gmail.com. The author's 288-page book, Born a Hunter – Hunting Adventures from the Arctic to Africa, is available in a trade edition—hardbound with dust jacket for $30 and Deluxe—leather-bound and limited to 350 signed and numbered copies for $60. Call (800) 849-1004 or visit www.sportingclassics.com. 103 • S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S