David Livingstone's Gun

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Carrying a shotgun was "de rigeur" for anyone who dared to venture into the interior of Africa, and the Royal Geographical Society of London recommended it to all explorers.  Livingstone was no different, though he was not a skilled shooter.  In an attempt to stop a lion that was plaguing a small village, Livingstone shot but did not kill the beast.  His assistant felled the lion, but only after it had mauled Livingstone’s left arm.  Livingstone never regained full use of his arm, but he did survive despite the lack of antibiotics! The gun in this model is not that same shotgun, but it was Livingstone’s at the time of his death from dysentery in 1873.  This I. Hollis & Sons 10-gauge shotgun was sent home England in the coffin alongside Livingstone’s embalmed body.  This object originates from Smithsonian X 3D, made available under a Share Alike, Non-Commercial license. For more information and all educational resources surrounding this object please visit this link https://3d.si.edu . Please share photographs of your work with us below!