Vintage....David Ommanney

ESHKESH SAFARI

Sponsor
Since 2022
AH veteran
Joined
Aug 9, 2009
Messages
214
Reaction score
331
Location
Arusha, Tanzania
Website
eshkeshsafaris.com
Deals & offers
4
Media
73
Hunted
Tanzania.
This is a picture of David Ommanney, who was a professional hunter with the LAWRENCE - BROWN safari company during the golden age of safari hunting in Africa.

This man was nearly killed by a leopard in Manyara (now a national park). The leopard had been wounded by his client and during the follow up, Ommanney got severely mauled by the leopard. While on the way to the hospital in Arusha, his tracker Salim back in camp took his master's .30-06 and went after the leopard (the client had taken the PH to hospital). He too got mauled and just 2 hours after admitting Ommanney, his tracker was also brought to the hospital, mauled by the very same leopard!!

The leopard was brought to book 3 days later by a PH called Theo Potgieter from Nairobi as most of the top PH's were on Safari with clients. This story is well told in Frank C. Hibben's book 'Hunting in Africa'. Its under the chapter title, 'The killer leopard of Manyara'!!

What an amazing story!
 

Attachments

  • p03828-b00623-208.jpg
    p03828-b00623-208.jpg
    70.6 KB · Views: 260
Gutsy killer leopard !!! really a amazimg fact ,thanks for info on this Mbogo Hunter.

Monish
 
More Vintages....when Africa was virgin.

Some more vintage photos of wild Africa.
 

Attachments

  • Syd and Cynthia.jpg
    Syd and Cynthia.jpg
    55.5 KB · Views: 311
  • p03808-b00623-047.jpg
    p03808-b00623-047.jpg
    74.5 KB · Views: 245
Hey M'bogo.

I'm a huge fan of vintage Africa and have a good collection of books written by adventurers such as Roosevelt, JA Hunter, Ruark, Frederick Patterson and Martin and Osa Johnson amongst others.

My favourite vintage photo is of a Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine), which is actually a wild dog, shot in the early 1900's. I have not been able to get a large format print but still looking...
 

Attachments

  • Tasmanian Tiger.jpg
    Tasmanian Tiger.jpg
    32.6 KB · Views: 206
I picked up a copy of the novel "White Hunters" while travelling recently. It is more of a East African history book than a novel but it is full of period photos of the great hunters, their equipment, and their clients. A very good book and a good read as well.
 
The Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) was not a wild dog, but like most native Australian animals was a marsupial. It filled an apex predator role like the wolf and so took on characteristics of both dog and cat, but it is actually related to the opossum. In spite of periodic sighting reports, the Thylacine is likely extinct. A project is under way in Australia and California which may eventually clone one but those are long odds. A shame. One of those which just missed being saved by modern thinking about preserving species.
 
Hey M'bogo.

I'm a huge fan of vintage Africa and have a good collection of books written by adventurers such as Roosevelt, JA Hunter, Ruark, Frederick Patterson and Martin and Osa Johnson amongst others.

My favourite vintage photo is of a Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine), which is actually a wild dog, shot in the early 1900's. I have not been able to get a large format print but still looking...

Hi schembridan,

I too am a good fan of vintage Africa (though they really make me wish i was born when 'AFRICA' meant cannibals,black water fever and dangerous game!). I have books written by G.G Rushby, Commander David Enderby Blunt, Brian Herne, C.J.P IONIDES, F.C. Hibben and John Dawkins among many others. Luckily, most these books have vintage photos and i never tire watching them.

My favourite photo is the pure black maned lion shot by painter during his honeymoon in 1911 near Arusha. They never come that black these days (looks like modern lions are a bit more civilized and go to beauty shops for a bleach!!). Its from Brian Herne's book 'White Hunters: The golden age of African Safaris'.

Its sad that the Tasmanian tiger is now extinct.
 
I picked up a copy of the novel "White Hunters" while travelling recently. It is more of a East African history book than a novel but it is full of period photos of the great hunters, their equipment, and their clients. A very good book and a good read as well.

Hi Macs,

That's a very good book you have got there.It brings back the memories of ancient Africa more than any other African book I have ever read. The pictures are outstanding and true vintages.Some few more vintages can be found at www.cottars.com

Happy reading! Cheers.
 
Mbogo Hunter,

Great photos, those must have been the days the Golden Era In African Hunting !!!!! do post more snaps

Thanks

Monish
 
Monish,

Those surely were the days of the golden era in African hunting. In those days, foot safaris were the only means of travel and the big five weren't the only dangers you would expect! Hundred pounders and black maned lions were plenty, and hunting in Africa meant facing disease, cannibals, dangerous game, and unknown terrain. That was Africa at its best! I promise to post some more vintage snaps soon.
 
Mbogohunter,

Thanks, waiting for more of these snaps, we can only read the chronicles and writings of those great hunters who litreally exlpored the dark continent , you & I can only imagine the great hunting days , today we are more of less of technical hunters.

Monish
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,948
Messages
1,141,254
Members
93,272
Latest member
Huntingthewoods
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Because of some clients having to move their dates I have 2 prime time slots open if anyone is interested to do a hunt
5-15 May
or 5-15 June is open!
shoot me a message for a good deal!
dogcat1 wrote on skydiver386's profile.
I would be interested in it if you pass. Please send me the info on the gun shop if you do not buy it. I have the needed ammo and brass.
Thanks,
Ross
Francois R wrote on Lance Hopper's profile.
Hi Lance hope you well. The 10.75 x 68 did you purchase it in the end ? if so are you prepared to part with it ? rgs Francois
 
Top