A couple of years ago, as I wandered the ‘streets’ of The Game Fair, nursing a fairly significant hangover, I wandered past a stand that stood out from the rest. In the sea of tweed, GORETEX and camo, this stand had a completely different aesthetic but nevertheless felt entirely in keeping with the countryside lifestyle. The difference was that the countryside lifestyle this stand embodied was from a quite different continent and an entirely different era - the golden age of safari.
The pallette of brown and khaki tones, the combination of canvas and leather and wood, perfectly recalled the century leading up to the start of WW2 that saw Europeans flock to Africa to go on adventures, to hunt, farm, forge new lives for themselves and make their fortunes. The stand conjoured images of Denys Finch Hatton, Karen Blixen, Jim Corbett, polo at Nairobi’s Muthaiga Club, sundowners on the savannah, Rorkes Drift, Alan Quartermaine, missionaries and diamond millionaires, Royal hunters, and larger-than-life adventurers. I was in love.
The stand belonged to Melvill & Moon, a company which bears the name of one of the heroes of the Battle of Isandlwana - Lt. Teignmouth Melvill - and has roots in Africa that stretch back to the late 1700s. They specialise in high-end safari-style luggage, accessories and ‘campaign’ furniture, and I want to own nearly everything they produce. Here are a few of my favourite pieces that I think will appeal to you!
Shotgun slip - from £270
Available in either canvas and leather or oil-impregnated leather, these shotgun slips are modelled on the classic gunslips of the Grand Safari era. Lined in pigskin (or suede to order) the padding helps to protect your precious gun while the solid brass fittings and heavy-duty straps keep everything secure.
Fieldsports canvas pouch - £45
Sitting somewhere between a cartridge bag and a coat pocket, this belt-mounted canvas pouch holds up to 50 shotgun cartridges. The open mouth makes for easy access and speedy reloading, and being on the belt means you can position it exactly to your liking. In the off season, it doubles up as a handy alternative to a picker's up bag.
Djembe 4 bottle wine cooler - £160
Made from Melvill & Moon’s signature 510g cotton canvas and lined to help keep your favourite tipple at just the right temperature. The Djembe carries up to four bottles of wine or three with glasses stacked in the fourth slot. Ideal for informal in-field elevenses, river-bank picnics or a day at the races.
Kalahari cooler bag - £375
Complete your picnic kit with theis canvas and leather cool bag. Lined on the inside to keep your food and drink cool, and with external pockets for important additional kit, the Kalahari comes with a bottle opener and chopping board.
Field bar - £1,900
For a more elaborate elevenses, in pride of place in your shoot lodge, in Carpark One at Royal Ascot or even in your drawing room, Melvill & Moon’s field bar is made from solid walnut and modelled on the campaign furniture used by the British Army. The portable bar closes/opens at the top and front to create a cocktail bar that you can take with you, while the supporting tray’s folding legs ensures you can pour your drinks at a comfortable height. The removable partitions ensure that you can safely transport your Gin and IT, glasswear and corkscrew without fear of breakages.
Field polo gun racks - from £650
These elegant, foldable racks were originally designed for polo sticks, but are just as effective as fishing rod or gun racks. Put one outside the elevenses hut or fishing bothy, or inside your shoot lodge as a place for guests to allow their guns to dry off at the end of the day. Made in a choice of mahogany or walnut, they come in two sizes. At the base, the rubber mat protects gunstocks, while at the other end, the leather straps prevent anything from falling over. Once empty, the detachable leather strap makes for easy transportation.
EXPLORE THE CAMPAIGN FURNITURE RANGE
4x4 seat covers - priced to order
Somewhat less glamourous, but no less vital for many, these heavy-duty canvas seat covers are available for most serious 4x4s, including Landys and the INEOS Grenadier. Waterproof, tear and abrasion-resistant, fungus and bacteria-resistant and treated against rot and mildew, they’ll stand up to even the muddiest gundog or muckiest kids. As well as being fitted with side pockets for storage of essentials (no more losing your phone down the side of your seat!), you can opt to have leather accents or custom embroidery for that personal touch.
Pith Helmet - £69
Full disclosure: reader, I own one. My extensive field-testing, in a range of shooting and fishing and social situations, reveals that while the wide brim makes for excellent sun protection, the real benefits are in the admiring glances and envious comments one receives.
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