The mystery of the maharaja’s rifle

It was one more quick jump across the pond — nothing unusual for Diggory Hadoke, author, well-known antique firearms expert and founder of Vintage Guns Ltd. These visits to America were becoming routine.

But then, the unexpected happened, leading to a life lesson that involved a rare blackpowder rifle and its stock of valuable rhino horn — a material that is highly sought after, but subject to tremendous trade restrictions due to the endangered status of the rhino driven by illegal poaching, primarily to satisfy its demand in Asia as an aphrodisiac.

“It was about 15 years ago,” remembered Diggory. “I had a call to value a collection on the American east coast. It came from a chap who had collected a whole range of guns, beginning after World War II. They had been in storage for the better part of his