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Ernest Hemingway’s Beretta Shotgun: A Legendary Firearm’s Journey from Venice to New York
Discover the history of Ernest Hemingway’s prized Beretta SO3 shotgun, used in Venetian duck hunts, sold via Abercrombie & Fitch, and now displayed at the NY Beretta Gallery.
Ernest Hemingway’s Beretta SO3 Shotgun: A Tale of Adventure and Legacy
Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Prize-winning author of «The Old Man and the Sea» and «A Farewell to Arms», was as renowned for his adventurous spirit as his literary genius. Among his cherished possessions was a Beretta SO3 shotgun, a firearm entwined with his passion for hunting and the untold stories of his later years. This article unveils the verified history of Hemingway’s iconic Beretta, tracing its journey from the Venetian lagoons to its current home in New York City.
Hemingway’s Venetian Adventure: The Origin of the Beretta SO3
In December 1949, Hemingway was invited to a duck hunt in Venice’s lush wetlands. Known for his love of outdoor pursuits, he visited **Armeria Caccia**, a prestigious firearms dealer in San Marco, Venice, to acquire a suitable shotgun. There, he chose the «Beretta SO3», a sleek, side-by-side double-barrel shotgun renowned for its balance and precision.
The SO3 model, crafted by Beretta (founded in 1526 and among the world’s oldest active manufacturers), was a favorite among European hunters. Its lightweight design and reliability in marshy terrains made it ideal for Hemingway’s Venetian expedition. The author reportedly praised the gun’s performance, cementing its place in his “shooting battery” until his death in 1961.
A Posthumous Journey: Abercrombie & Fitch and a Montana Collector
Following Hemingway’s passing, his widow, Mary Hemingway, sought to manage his estate. In 1964, she enlisted «Abercrombie & Fitch»—then a luxury outfitter for adventurers—to sell the shotgun. The Beretta SO3 found a new owner in Bozeman, Montana, a region synonymous with big-game hunting. While the buyer’s identity remains private, the sale highlighted the firearm’s desirability among elite outdoorsmen.
Beretta’s Reclamation: A Treasure Returns Home
In 1999, the shotgun resurfaced at auction, drawing attention from collectors and historians. Recognizing its cultural significance, Beretta secured the firearm for its **Private Collection**, a curated archive of historic arms. Today, Hemingway’s SO3 is displayed at the Beretta Gallery in New York City, located at 718 Madison Avenue. This gallery showcases centuries of Beretta’s craftsmanship, with Hemingway’s gun serving as a centerpiece that bridges literary history and firearm heritage.
Why Hemingway’s Beretta Matters
- Cultural Icon: The shotgun symbolizes Hemingway’s rugged persona and his bond with nature, themes prevalent in his works.
- Historical Craftsmanship: The SO3 model reflects Beretta’s legacy of precision engineering, admired by hunters since the mid-20th century.
- Provenance: With documented ownership transitions, the firearm’s authenticity is undisputed, adding to its allure.
Visit the NY Beretta Gallery
Hemingway’s Beretta SO3 is accessible to the public at the Beretta Gallery NY, where enthusiasts can view it alongside rare firearms and hunting memorabilia. The gallery offers a tangible connection to the author’s adventures and Beretta’s 500-year legacy.
Hemingway’s Beretta is more than a firearm—it’s a relic of a literary giant’s thirst for adventure. From Venetian marshes to Manhattan’s elite gallery, its journey mirrors the timeless appeal of both its owner and its maker. Whether you’re a Hemingway devotee, a firearms enthusiast, or a history buff, this shotgun’s story is a compelling chapter in 20th-century culture.
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Ernest Hemingway and the Leopard Photo: A Story of Myth.
One of the most iconic images of Ernest Hemingway shows the famed American author standing triumphantly beside the carcass of a large leopard in the African bush, a rifle slung over his shoulder. Dressed in safari gear, his expression is characteristically stoic—confident, weathered, and self-assured. The photograph, taken during his 1933–1934 African safari, has long been interpreted as a testament to Hemingway’s prowess as a big-game hunter, reinforcing his public image as a rugged adventurer and master of the wild.
But the truth behind the image is far more nuanced—and revealing—than the myth it helped create.
The Leopard That Wasn’t His
Contrary to popular belief, Hemingway did not shoot the leopard in the photograph. At the time the photo was taken, he had actually failed to bring down the animal himself. The leopard had been killed by Mayito Menocal, a young Cuban friend and fellow member of the safari party. Hemingway, ever the showman and keenly aware of image, posed with the trophy anyway—capturing a moment that would be remembered as a personal triumph, even though it was not.
This detail underscores a recurring theme in Hemingway’s life: the blurring of fact and fiction, not only in his writing but in the persona he cultivated. The photo became a symbol of the Hemingway legend—the hunter, the man of action, the conqueror of nature. Yet behind the pose was a man who, on that particular day, had come up short. It wasn’t until three months later that Hemingway finally succeeded in shooting a leopard of his own, an achievement he would later recount with pride in Green Hills of Africa, his 1935 nonfiction account of the African safari.
The Rifle: A Beloved Weapon with a Troubled Fate
The rifle slung over Hemingway’s shoulder in the famous photo is a Griffin & Howe .30-06 bolt-action rifle, serial number 956. He purchased it in 1930 from Abercrombie & Fitch in New York for $256.50—a significant sum at the time. Custom-built for precision and durability, the rifle was fitted with a telescopic sight and tailored to Hemingway’s preferences for African hunting.
Interestingly, the rifle originally came with a side-mounted diopter sight, which Hemingway removed shortly after acquiring it. He reportedly never used it, preferring open or telescopic sights for long-range shooting. The Griffin & Howe became one of his favorite firearms, accompanying him on multiple safaris and used to take a variety of game, including kudu, eland, and buffalo.
A Legacy Interrupted by Tragedy
Two years after Hemingway’s suicide in 1961, his widow, Mary Hemingway, attempted to part with the rifle. In 1963, she consigned it to Abercrombie & Fitch with instructions to sell it for $150. However, in a moment of reconsideration, she changed her mind and reclaimed the weapon—perhaps struck by its emotional and historical weight as a relic of her late husband’s adventurous life.
Eventually, Mary passed the rifle down to their son, Patrick Hemingway, who had accompanied his father on later hunting trips and shared his passion for the outdoors. Patrick used the rifle just once: in 1967, while hunting in Montana, he successfully took a moose with his father’s old .30-06—a poignant moment of continuity between father and son.
In the late 1970s Griffin & Howe .30-06 was stolen from Patrick Hemingway’s home in Montana during a burglary. Despite efforts to track it down, the weapon has never been recovered. Its disappearance remains one of the enduring mysteries in Hemingway lore.
Over the years, a persistent rumor has circulated that the stolen rifle—along with other firearms taken in the same heist—was smuggled out of the United States and sent to the Irish Republican Army (IRA)during the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Some speculate it was part of a larger cache of American weapons funneled to Irish republican paramilitaries through sympathetic networks. While there is no verifiable evidence to confirm this theory, the idea that Hemingway’s rifle might have ended up in a conflict far removed from the African savanna adds a layer of irony and melancholy to its story.
