I am sure many of you watched in awe as the Artemis II mission closed out with a bullseye splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10. The images we’ve seen, the remarkable reality of four people going further into space than anyone has gone before, and the technical mastery required to bring all of this off is a reminder of the profound capabilities of man when we turn our eyes to a far horizon and seek beyond it.
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Ah, Rigby. Always reminding me that this old Frontier Partisan has Macallan Exceptional Cask taste and a Topo Chico budget. The esteemed 251-year-old British gunmaker has released its Legends Collection in its Shikar Store, honoring some of the greats of the imperial hunting tradition. One of those being Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter of man-eaters in India, another being the long-serving and still active Robin Hurt, regarded widely as one of the greatest in the storied annals of African Professional Hunters.
Here we have a pair of fine safari jackets. Of course I want one. The Jungle Jim sells for £499, which is only $671 American. Hey, no problem…
This jacket is a tribute to the man who never shied from danger, taking on the most formidable challenges with optimism and courage. Whether facing a man-eater in the jungle or simply embracing the wild, the Jungle Jim 436 Safari Jacket embodies the spirit of resilience and readiness.
The Robin Hurt Backup Jacket is more affordable at £ 416.66 ($560 USD)… so there’s that.
Robin Hurt is featured in my all-time favorite safari film, In The Blood, a 1989 film that interweaves a modern safari with a recounting of the 1909 Theodore Roosevelt safari.
Actually, I have a Midway Safari Jacket that suits me just fine, and a 5.11 Tactical khaki “shacket” that I picked up off a clearance rack for a song for everyday wear, so it’s all good. But good lord Lorrie, Rigby sure does have some fine plunder…
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Just a couple of days after I posted on the Ring Fight during the Cherokee War of 1776, artist Jeff Trexler unveiled a painting of the incident. Most striking.
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In the spirit of Revolutionary War-era bush fighting, Flintlock Operator just dropped a video on snap-shooting with a flintlock rifle. The ability to get rifle to shoulder and get a quick, accurate shot off at close range to neutralize an immediate threat is a key skill of the Frontier Partisan rifleman, whether he’s dealing with a pissed off buffalo in Africa, or a charging Cherokee warrior on the Carolina frontier in 1776.
I really enjoy Flintlock Operator’s work, and here he has some fun with Continuity & Persistence. A snap-shooting drill is part of every Frontier Partisan biathlon workout.
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Lane Batot reminds us of the magnificence of the score for Caravans. This movie, based on a novel by James Michener, was shot in Iran just before the 1979 revolution. Gunrunning nomads, romance, spectacular desert scenery. Lots of Mauser rifles…
Matthew says
I am glad that NASA seems to be getting its act together. Humanity and particularly Americans need a new frontier.
Quixotic Mainer says
Despite all the performative fusillades normally done on range, I’m a firm believer in the value of ready ups as a long gun practice. The snap shot is a make or break in force on force, perhaps Bruce Dickinson put it best; Be quick or be dead.
That ring fight picture is enlightening. I was picturing the circle much larger and more dispersed. They’re forming a backwoods square with the edges ground off.
JimC says
I had a similar visualization — bigger ring — but I think Trexel has it right. Not that many men and a desperate close-quarters fight.
Paul McNamee says
I have a small clutch of Cabela’s safari shirts, and one of their jackets. They stopped making Cabela’s branded products when they were bought out.
My favorite is my oldest. Classic khaki and well-worn. But now it is a bit too worn with holes springing at the pocket corners. To date, I have not been able to find the right reasonable replacement.
JimC says
The Midway one is nice.
Hammer says
LOL – I believe I have the same Midway jacket. Because Topo Chico budgets, and all.
And a moment of silence for what Cabela’s used to be, and hasn’t remotely been since the buy-out. I can’t even bring myself to enter one anymore.
Robert Norment says
Made same comment other day concerning Cabelas. Mountains of baby gifts and apparel and no practical good quality hunting clothing. Fondly remembering their Safari collection.
David Wrolson says
Wow-I never knew that Caravans was made into a movie. Loved the book and it probably the Michener book that I have read the most times (well, that or Centennial.)
I remember telling people after 9/11 that they needed to read Caravans to get a handle on Afghanistan and to realize that the hard-core mullahs from the book were in power.
San Gabriel Scout says
I have found the TAG safari apparel at http://www.tagsafari.com to be quite durable and at a reasonable price too.
JimC says
Thanks for this.
Ugly Hombre says
Those Safari’s are some damn good looking threads – I had one back in the stone age a USAF issue one lol. My friends older brother had been in the Air Force in France and gave it to me I loved the thing and wore it. out my old man said “where did you get the G.D. Waf jacket”? He was sarc. like that lol. Sure as hell did not like that- but I liked the jacket. “Jacket Men’s Cotton Tan Tropical”
https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/395650-usaf-1950s-tropical-jacket-safari-and-blue-duffle-bag/
Later when I joined up and got sent to the P.I. I found that the military was still using them. They had the “Jungle Jim” uniform Khaki Bermuda shorts pith helmet etc.
https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/5846-post-wwii-1950s-1960s-us-air-force-uniform-photos/
& Knee high socks etc. a fantastic fashion statement- the doc’s wore them as a sorta joke and it was hot as hades some times over there- the local girls made a lot of jokes about knobby knees ” I can see your ‘leggs’ and so on. lol
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4323586674/wwii-1950s-usaf-tan-tropical-safari
Surfing around thinking about the old days I found this hell its a good thing its on sale!- I should have mothballed it and made bank! Wish the old man was still around so I could zing him- he would squeeze a quarter until the eagle squawked. lol
I think I’ll head over to midway and see if they have my size..
JimC says
Great stuff UH.
Ugly Hombre says
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/new-space-force-dress-uniform/
They need to bring the “Jungle Jim” uniforms back.. I mean C’mon Star Trek threads redux??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59T3m89YMF4
Old way is always the best way!
lol
Thx Jim!
Jonathan Hanson says
Jim,
Like you, I have a Topo Chico budget, and also a long-standing passion for the products of John Rigby. Miraculously, twenty years ago I was gifted a Rigby .275 by a dear gun-writer friend, Steve Bodio. It has since harvested deer and elk, and is one of my most prized possessions. (I also own a few Rigby shirts . . . ). I was horrified when the Rigby name was briefly owned by a baseball-cap wearing California redneck, and was relieved when it returned to its rightful place. The current custodians are doing a magnificent job.
I just discovered your site while doing some research on an article I’m writing about Apache country in Arizona, and the expression “Brothers from another mother” immediately jumped to mind.
JimC says
Glad you found the campfire Jonathan. You’ll find many kindred spirits here.