[.41Dude]

In the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness" Val Kilmer's
character uses a bolt action rifle with an external magazine that looks like the Lee- Enfield. Can anyone tell me what it is?
I have tried looking it up thru various movie links with no luck.
It is one of those things that is driving me more nutty than I already am.:banghead:

Thanks to all.
Great site.

[goon]

I think it was a sporterized Lee-Enfield.

[Keith]

No, I think it was a Mannlicher Sporter.

[MolonLabe416]

I believe it's a sporterized Long Lee Metford. This was the rifle issued prior to the Lee-Enfield. It would be correct for the period.

[Keith]

I think you guys may be right about it being a Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield.

The metal seems right, but the overall stock configuration is a sporter. So, maybe a Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield Sporter?

Here are some images from the movie:
http://www.planetkilmer.com/valbum/ghost_album/ghost_album-s0001.htm

Here are some images of Lee-Metfords and Lee- Enfields:

http://www.geocities.com/lee_enfield_rifles/EarlyLees.html

Keith

[Dr.Rob]

IIRC, Patterson (the real one) used a Lee -Metford .303 with FMJ bullets (he also used these to "drill" the flat plates in the lion trap-not something we'd recommend) and he also carried a 12 bore double shotgun loaded with a slug in one barrel. He also packed a c-96 mauser at times.

Before you poo-poo his choices, the real Patterson was something of a Tiger and Leopard hunter from his India days--he's something of a real character.

Give "Man Eaters of Tsavo" a read, some editions have Patterson's recommendations for what you'll need on safari in the back, it's quite entertaining, from how many pounds of flour to how ,many cartridges to give your askaris.

[Johnny Guest]

I read that it was a Lee Speed sporter that Col Patterson used. This still from the movie - - -
http://www.planetkilmer.com/valbum/ghost_album/ghost_album-i0006.htm

- - shows the dust cover, magazine cut-off, and short (five-round??) magazine. Looks as if the prop department tried to do this part correctly. Disclaimer: I like the military Lee Enfields but don’t know much about the very early ones. ;)

Best,
Johnny

[Cosmoline]

Lee Speed sounds right. Those were very popular with hunters at the time. It wasn't just Patterson who realized how much better they were in many cases than the big double guns. The old loading on the .303 would not have been spitzer, though, and IIRC a few shots from the film show spitzers. The period cartridges were loaded with big 215 grain RN bullets that proved their penetration over and over again. "Small" bore (.30 cal to 8mm) moderate velocity RN bullets accounted for most of the kills in Africa from the late 1890's until the advent of the magnums. You don't see them much anymore.

[cratz2]

http://www.planetkilmer.com/valbum/ghost_album/ghost_22.jpg

[goon]

That pic looks Lee-Metford to me.

[Detritus]

Give "Man Eaters of Tsavo" a read, .

have the "Peter Capstick library" edition, great book. In addition to the account of the hunting of the man-eaters, and the tales of Safari etc. i also enjoyed the commentary in the editor's note on the REST of patterson's life. including being placed in charge of the creation of, the first jewish battle units since the fall of Jerusalem, ie "the Jewish legion" a unit that served at gallipoli, and took part in Allenby's assault at Meggido (aka Armageddon). there is a VERY satisfying incident mentioned therein regarding patterson's reaction to insults directed at his troops...... (the demand at bayonet point, of an appology from a bigoted brigadier to the private he had assaulted)

though if one is not careful, they'd come away from readign the book with the impression that Patterson was a bit TOO eager to go galavanting off to risk his hide in the bush pursuing the next dangerous animal.

also mentioned in the editor's note is the fact that the bridge a Tsavo did not survive the first world war. being a victim of the german east african campaign.

[Cosmoline]

a bit TOO eager to go galavanting off to risk his hide in the bush pursuing the next dangerous animal."

Yeah, I wondered how he got any work done at all. He always seems to have an excuse for going off into the bush. IIRC, he even hunts when he's doing complex calculations for a length of track. Those were the days:D

[Sunray]

That's a butchered No. 1 Mk III with the mag cut off. The mag has been cut as has the stock.

[.41Dude]

Thanks for all the help. I have read Capstick, and when I am done with a story, I feel like heading off into the bush.

Then I snap out of it.:what: