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Jaguar Hunter | Outdoor Life
I'm going to have to do some research about this guy.
Jaguar Hunter | Outdoor Life
I'm going to have to do some research about this guy.
Sasha Siemel
- Thread starter KSCowboy
- Start date
There is a chapter about him in one of the Peter Hathaway Capstick books, maybe Death in Silent Places.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I've read Siemel's own books and those about him by Julian Dugood, if I spelled that right. The author (Dugood) was British. He visited Siemel in Brazil.
The famed hunter emigrated to Brazil from Latvia at the time that Russia seized Latvia. I forget the year, but it was about 1917. He worked as a mechanic (including being a gunsmith) and as a wrestler before achieving fame for killing big cattle-slaying jaguars.
He never mentioned the model, but was fond of Smith & Wesson .44's. These could be anything from old top-break models to Triple Locks or the Second Model Hand Ejector and 1926 Third Model. Siemel may well have owned several models. He mentioned the .44's carried by others as well as his own guns. The one he's wearing crossdraw in the above photo is probably one of those .44's. The barrel doesn't look long enough for the .357 in the other photo. But it's about right for a 6.5-inch .44 Second Model. And that was probably what he'd have found new after arriving in Brazil when he did. Moreover, he looks too young to have had the .357 yet.
Doug Wesson was an admirer of Siemel, who wrote books and gave lecture tours in the US. I understand that he also received a new .44 Magnum when that was introduced.
Because Siemel also used .44 Winchesters, I suspect he MAY have had S&W .44/40 revolvers, for ammo commonality. The cartridge was very popular in Brazil. I don't know if the .44 Special was widely used there.
He certainly had some connection to PA! He met his wife there while on a lecture tour. She was about 18, and he was about 38-40 at the time. She admired him as a giant of adventure and attended one of his lectures and met him there. They had several children and there is a picture of the girl, a pretty brunette, with a bow and arrow and a caiman that she'd arrowed in Brazil. (A caiman is similar to an alligator. Alligators do not live in Brazil. In his books, Siemel used the Brazilian name of "jacare" for caimans. I don't think that "jacare" is a Portugeuse word; it is probably from some Indian language.)
Siemel was a remarkable man, and deserves to be better known today. I found out about him because my junior high school had one of his books, as did the public library. I recommend his, "Tigrero!", if you can find a copy, or his other books and those about him. I was very fortunate to locate a copy of, "Tigrero!" in a used book store. I value it highly. I'll probably pass it on to my son. (Please don't ask to buy it.)
Although he often used guns, it is true that he frequently speared big 400 pound cats in high grass. He forged his own spearheads, and was taught to use the spear by an old Indian named Joaquim Guato. (I can't do accentos on this keyboard; there is an accento on the "o".)
If you've ever wondered whether piranhas (caribes) eat men, read his books. They will. In fact, I think the name "caribe" was derived from the voraciousness of the fish reminding early explorers of the Caribe Indians, who were cannibals.
GOOD post! I loved the photos.
T-Star
The famed hunter emigrated to Brazil from Latvia at the time that Russia seized Latvia. I forget the year, but it was about 1917. He worked as a mechanic (including being a gunsmith) and as a wrestler before achieving fame for killing big cattle-slaying jaguars.
He never mentioned the model, but was fond of Smith & Wesson .44's. These could be anything from old top-break models to Triple Locks or the Second Model Hand Ejector and 1926 Third Model. Siemel may well have owned several models. He mentioned the .44's carried by others as well as his own guns. The one he's wearing crossdraw in the above photo is probably one of those .44's. The barrel doesn't look long enough for the .357 in the other photo. But it's about right for a 6.5-inch .44 Second Model. And that was probably what he'd have found new after arriving in Brazil when he did. Moreover, he looks too young to have had the .357 yet.
Doug Wesson was an admirer of Siemel, who wrote books and gave lecture tours in the US. I understand that he also received a new .44 Magnum when that was introduced.
Because Siemel also used .44 Winchesters, I suspect he MAY have had S&W .44/40 revolvers, for ammo commonality. The cartridge was very popular in Brazil. I don't know if the .44 Special was widely used there.
He certainly had some connection to PA! He met his wife there while on a lecture tour. She was about 18, and he was about 38-40 at the time. She admired him as a giant of adventure and attended one of his lectures and met him there. They had several children and there is a picture of the girl, a pretty brunette, with a bow and arrow and a caiman that she'd arrowed in Brazil. (A caiman is similar to an alligator. Alligators do not live in Brazil. In his books, Siemel used the Brazilian name of "jacare" for caimans. I don't think that "jacare" is a Portugeuse word; it is probably from some Indian language.)
Siemel was a remarkable man, and deserves to be better known today. I found out about him because my junior high school had one of his books, as did the public library. I recommend his, "Tigrero!", if you can find a copy, or his other books and those about him. I was very fortunate to locate a copy of, "Tigrero!" in a used book store. I value it highly. I'll probably pass it on to my son. (Please don't ask to buy it.)
Although he often used guns, it is true that he frequently speared big 400 pound cats in high grass. He forged his own spearheads, and was taught to use the spear by an old Indian named Joaquim Guato. (I can't do accentos on this keyboard; there is an accento on the "o".)
If you've ever wondered whether piranhas (caribes) eat men, read his books. They will. In fact, I think the name "caribe" was derived from the voraciousness of the fish reminding early explorers of the Caribe Indians, who were cannibals.
GOOD post! I loved the photos.
T-Star
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Texas Star
US Veteran
You have the correct title. It has also been out in paperback. I knew Peter slightly, and he was just as funny in person as he often was in print.
I once sent him a cartoon that had two hyenas standing by a safari tent. A sign by the tent read, The Millers. One hyena looked at the other and said, "it's Miller time!"
Capstick loved that; it appealed to his macabre sense of humor. I kept his reply, partly because i liked the South African stamp.
I miss Capstick and his wonderful books and hunting videos.
T-Star
Texas Star
US Veteran
Kwill-
Will you please also post this in the Lounge, where more will see it? Those pics are great!
T-Star
Will you please also post this in the Lounge, where more will see it? Those pics are great!
T-Star
Great photo!
Please don't post the same thread in more than one forum, cross-posting is a waste of bandwidth and against the rules.
Let this run here for a while. If it starts to drop off and the OP would like it moved to the lounge, just send me a PM and I'll gladly move it.
ò = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 149.
ô = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 147.
ö = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 148.
ó = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 162.
What's an 'accento'?
ô = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 147.
ö = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 148.
ó = num lock on, hold down fn and alt, keypad 162.
What's an 'accento'?
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think it's an accent mark, meant to change the way a word is pronounced in Spanish and Portuguese. Or, so my college Spanish teacher said...
The one for Joaquim Guato's name should look like your last item. Makes the accent on the O at the end of his name. Hence, Gwat-OH. Not GWAT-oh.
T-Star
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I remember reading about Sasha Siemel in "Outdoor Life" or one of those magazines back in the day. Encountered him again later in "Death in the Silent Places." (I've got four or five Capstick books. Great writer.)
As a kid growing up in rural Hanover Co., Virginia during the 50's and 60's my grandfathers F&S, Outdoor Life, and Sports Afield, opened the whole world to me.
As a kid growing up in rural Hanover Co., Virginia during the 50's and 60's my grandfathers F&S, Outdoor Life, and Sports Afield, opened the whole world to me.
I've had a life, but Sasha Siemel makes me feel rather sheltered. A good web site about him (including pictures) is at Sasha Siemel.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Winner of the cool gun/dead weird critter photo contest:
Texas Star
US Veteran
Winner of the cool gun/dead weird critter photo contest:
Yup. Winchester M-92 .44 carbine and dead puma. Good pic.
T-Star
DWFAN
US Veteran
Not a very big man but he sure had some big stones. It takes a lot of nerve to face a wild cat that close. I think I have some reading to do.
DW
DW
Nice cat, KSCowboy!
How close was the shot? More importantly, did you have someone with a much bigger gun as a backup??
How close was the shot? More importantly, did you have someone with a much bigger gun as a backup??
Hi JayCeeNC
Well the dogs had her treed on the side of a cliff. I was above and my guide was down below watching. When I got to the dogs they were swarming all over the top edge. I crawled out amongst the dogs and when I looked over the edge she and I were eye ball to eyeball about 4 feet apart. I jerked my six shooter out of the holster and as soon as the front sight touched her chest I fired. Unfortunately and/or fortunately at this extremely short distance I shot a little high and caught her just under the left eye. She was immediately dead and went flying off the cliff.
45 Colt with 255 grain Keith SWC over 22 grains IMR-4227.
Nope, no backup with any gun around. It was a great old west hunt out in Arizona riding mules through the mountains following the dogs.
Well the dogs had her treed on the side of a cliff. I was above and my guide was down below watching. When I got to the dogs they were swarming all over the top edge. I crawled out amongst the dogs and when I looked over the edge she and I were eye ball to eyeball about 4 feet apart. I jerked my six shooter out of the holster and as soon as the front sight touched her chest I fired. Unfortunately and/or fortunately at this extremely short distance I shot a little high and caught her just under the left eye. She was immediately dead and went flying off the cliff.
45 Colt with 255 grain Keith SWC over 22 grains IMR-4227.
Nope, no backup with any gun around. It was a great old west hunt out in Arizona riding mules through the mountains following the dogs.
I like the hat!
Mountain Monkey
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Sasha and Edith were friends of my family and indeed, they lived nearby the museum. Two Jaguars and a few monkeys enjoyed their farm house as well. They were incredible people and Sasha was beyond words. I have yet to ever meet a man like him. True gems and uniqueness is quite rare on earth. He was one rare gem!
Great people!
While I do not have one of his S&W's I do have a few items available that we required as family friends when the museum shut down.
One item that may be of interest is a custom Paul Jaeger Mauser. For those of you that know of the late Paul Jaeger's work. This one being one of Sasha's is very unique. It too is a rare gem and available right now if there are any serious Jaeger fans reading this.
I also have a Forestry Cutlass, high grade with fine etching that is 19th century as best as can be dated. Again, should anyone have interest.
Please research and understand the rarity of these items as well as their values before contacting me.
Keep in mind that the Jaeger as well as the Cutlass, have the back story of Sasha Siemel being attached to them.
I hate to part with them but I am ill... Nut I most certainly want them to go to the proper person who knows of Sasha rather than any other museum of collector.
If interested, please contact me through a private message. Photos would be shared privately after i get enough sunlight to take good images with.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I remember reading about the guy way back when.
He has a museum in PA?
Now that's special!
He has a museum in PA?
Now that's special!
Texas Star
US Veteran
Siemel died about 1970. He HAD a museum in PA, with his wife Edith. He does not HAVE one now!
In the post above yours, a former family friend was trying to sell items from his estate!
BTW, if you have the paperback edition of, Death In the Silent Places, I wrote the review quoted up front, under the title, Gun Week. In it, I called Peter Capstick, "the principal chronicler of safari lore today". He was, and I miss him.
I think David Petzal wrote the review from, Field & Stream that looks like Hemingway's work. Because the reviews are cited by publication, not by writer, I don't know who wrote the other reviews.
I do know that I miss not being able to read and review new books by Peter. He left us too soon. I always thought a snake, a lion, or a buffalo would get him. In the end, he died in heart surgery, in Pretoria, not out in the bush.
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