FIRE STICK!
It’s no wonder the Native Americans (previously known as the ‘Red Indians’) of North America, when first engaging colonial settlers armed with guns, referred to these as ‘fire sticks’ and ‘smoke poles’ (if the popular literature of the Wild West is to be believed). This spectacular series of photos shows the well-known American gun dealer and collector of classic firearms, Bill Jones, firing an 8-bore breech-loading rifle at a Dallas Safari Club demonstration. Look at that jet of red fire streaking out behind the bullet, followed by a huge burst of flame before Bill is shoved back by the recoil, enveloped in smoke. It would have been highly intimidating if you didn’t know what a gun was, and found yourself at the business end of it.
Prior to the early 1900s, the 8-bore became the most popular calibre among European ivory hunters in Africa as it was the best compromise in terms of rifle weight, manageable recoil and terminal performance. Importantly, it could be made in double-barrelled form without being overly heavy – unlike the 4-bore. This provided a rapid second shot which often saved
