Old photo of German Officer with Elephant

[MiG25]

German NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) with an elephant, rifle looks to be a Kar88 (8x57). Elephant even seems to be given the "last bite".

 

[MDR]

I always find old hunting pictures very interesting. Especially if they are historical pictures from other countries/continents. Thanks for sharing

 

[CV32]

German NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) with an elephant, rifle looks to be a Kar88 (8x57). Elephant even seems to be given the "last bite".

Askari Schutztruppe? Do you have more information or a link? Pic seems to be circa 1920, but that seems a bit late, given what happened in the wake of WWI.

 

[XSlor]

Found another version of this photo...

http://2.bp.########.com/-aKSoufrRYjg/T4-F7wPjB1I/AAAAAAAACX4/1-i16vT4iBM/s1600/iKDgpQ2TC.N4.jpg

 

[airtruck63chev]

think thats his ride...

 

[XSlor]

think that was his ride...

ftfy

 

[MiG25]

What you see is what you get. My guess is circa 1915/16 as the Schutztruppe was living off the land, shooting elephants and hippos for fat. Photo likely taken by Walther Dobbertin, a google search of his name will return many photos. And he was captured in 1916.

I also notice that the NCO is a small bore fan, not using the more readily available .43 Mauser.

 

[XSlor]

What you see is what you get. My guess is circa 1915/16 as the Schutztruppe was living off the land, shooting elephants and hippos for fat. Photo likely taken by Walther Dobbertin, a google search of his name will return many photos. And he was captured in 1916.the

I also notice that the NCO is a small bore fan, not using the more readily available .43 Mauser.

According to Getty: German East Africa, Askari and natives with a slain elephant. - probably in the 1910s (Photo by Haeckel collection/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Do you know more of this Haeckel collection? I'm assuming that's the photographer?

 

[CV32]

What you see is what you get. My guess is circa 1915/16 as the Schutztruppe was living off the land, shooting elephants and hippos for fat. Photo likely taken by Walther Dobbertin, a google search of his name will return many photos. And he was captured in 1916.

Sounds more like it.

 

[9.3mauser]

I also notice that the NCO is a small bore fan, not using the more readily available .43 Mauser.

The 8x57 would have been the better choice. It's doubtful the .43 Mauser would have had enough penetration using a low-velocity soft lead bullet. That elephant looks to have been brain shot; collapsed in it's tracks with a mouthful of grass.

 

[BeaverMeat]

The 8x57 would have been the better choice. It's doubtful the .43 Mauser would have had enough penetration using a low-velocity soft lead bullet. That elephant looks to have been brain shot; collapsed in it's tracks with a mouthful of grass.

No way! 8mm is an obsolete cartridge and would never take down an Elephant. Geez, everyone knows that.

 

[deckerhead]

That elephant is not dead!!!.....its eating grass and shows no wounds ? Its more likely a posed picture with their source of transportation .