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C O L L E C T I O N
20 07/ 08
2007/08 CONTENTS
This is the third edition of the Laksen catalogue in the now also comprises quality accessories made from fine
form of a book. Once again, we have filled 100 pages leather and canvas: travel bags, gun cases, cartridge bags,
with exciting stories, beautiful pictures − and, not least, gun slips, etc.
200 well designed Laksen products.
All in all some 80 new products this year. There
Hunting and shooting is all about adventure. This time are many new items among the functional hunting
the author, Anastassia Arnold, one of the world’s leading garments as well as many new styles in the usual high-
Blixen experts, takes you along on a tour through the quality and hardwearing Scottish tweed.
life and adventures of the famous white hunter and
womaniser, Bror Blixen – with and without As always, comfort, function, and quality are the main
Karen Blixen. elements behind our range of products, and as always,
many expert users have contributed to the development
We have visited the gun maker company, Boss & Co., and testing of our products. They are all dedicated
in London, and we tell you the whole story about the shooters and hunters with only one objective in mind:
company to whom only the best is good enough. To develop the very best clothing for all kinds of
shooting and hunting adventures.
Together with nature photographer, Michael Sand, we
take you on a photo safari to Africa. An Africa that is
changing, but also an Africa that still is wild − a place Happy reading!
full of adventures.
Lars Thomsen
The Laksen range of products is now almost complete. Managing Director
New this year is a range of footwear, specially designed
and made for the discerning hunter. The Laksen range
8110 Moy tweed cap
3110 Moy tweed jacket
2110 Moy tweed breeks
7616 Valley shirt
42 Mallard tie
7830 Astor pullover
MOY
7
MOY
8
8110 Moy tweed cap
3111 Moy sports jacket
2125 Moleskin breeks
7616 Valley shirt
42 Mallard tie
7830 Astor pullover
8150 Bruar tweed cap
3150 Bruar tweed jacket
2150 Bruar tweed breeks
8123 Stockings
7615 Partridge shirt
41 Grouse tie
8155 Kelso tweed cap
3155 Kelso tweed jacket
2155 Kelso tweed breeks
8123 Stockings
7616 Valley shirt
43 Pheasant tie
KELSO
32 “Mallard” tie
100% silk. Also available in orange, article No. 42.
12
BRUAR
43 “Pheasant” tie
100% silk. Also available in
purple, article No. 33.
13
BRUAR
14
3151 Bruar tweed sports jacket
2150 Bruar tweed breeks
8123 Stockings
7617 Partridge shirt
41 Grouse tie
7828 Astor pullover
8144 Dalmore tweed cap
3144 Dalmore tweed jacket
31 Grouse tie
7615 Muflon shirt
9570 Burton gloves
DALMORE
5144 “Dalmore”
2144 “Dalmore” tweed breeks tweed shooting vest
Same material as jacket. Gore-Tex® membrane. 100% pure new wool from
Teflon® coated. Slant pockets with Amaretta™ reinforcement. Rear Thrie Estaits, Teflon® coated. Amaretta™
pocket. Waistband and cuffs with anti-slip tape. Adjustable cuffs. reinforcement. Lining: polyester. Large ammunition
New tailor-made design with extra length at the back. pockets, adjustable waist, leather-like buttons.
17
DALMORE
18
All Tweed.
When
only the best
is good enough
After his apprenticeship, William Boss decided to move Old Boss gun case labels state 1812 as the year of
to London. At this time, the gunmaking industry was establishment of Boss & Co. but after his apprentice-
concentrated in England’s two largest cities, London and ship, Thomas continued to work for Joseph Manton
Birmingham. The industry in Birmingham focussed more – incidentally together with a certain James Purdey. For
on military weapons while the London trade primarily how long Thomas continued to work for Manton is not
catered for the shooting sports. known but, incredibly, a ledger book from the early years
has survived in the Boss & Co. archives. It indicates that
In London, William Boss was employed by Joseph the first transactions took place in April 1816. This,
Manton, one of the fathers of modern British gunmaking therefore, is probably the year that the company Thomas
tradition. Only the very best journeymen were employed Boss Gunmaker, the later Boss & Co., was established.
by Manton, and William Boss was known as one of the
best. Unfortunately, he did not live to become an old In the following years, as business grew, the company
man. He died in 1809, only fifty years old. Before he regularly moved to new and better premises located at
died, he managed to pass on his skills to his three oldest ever-finer addresses. In 1837, the business moved to the
sons who all were apprenticed under him at Manton’s. prestigious St. James Street, and it is at this address that
Boss & Co. truly asserts itself in the minds of the public
The oldest son, William junior, established his own gun- as builders of high-quality sporting guns.
making business in 1814. Unfortunately, the business
only existed for three years before, for reasons unknown, Around the same time as the move to St. James Street,
it closed down again. Nothing is known of William’s Thomas Boss, at the ripe age of 47 marries the five year
younger brother, Fisher’s gunmaking career. Differently younger Amy Fields. The late marriage meant that the
with the youngest of the three brothers, Thomas. When couple did not have children. Therefore, when Thomas
his father died, Thomas still had three years left of his died in 1857 there were no immediate heirs to the com-
apprenticeship but Joseph Manton must have seen the pany. In the meantime, the company had become some-
potential in the young man because he kept him on in thing of a family business; among the twelve employees
the firm, and in 1812, young Thomas Boss could call in 1850, there were two nephews, the husband of a
himself gunmaker journeyman. niece, and a cousin.
23
When only the best is good enough!
years, rising in position to become Purdey’s right hand Graham Halsey is Managing Actioner John Varney has
man. The next natural step on the career latter would be Director of Boss & Co. He owns worked 32 consecutive years
to go into business on his own, which Robertson did in the company together with his for Boss & Co. He is responsi-
brother Keith.Under their leader- ble for the “heart”of the gun,
1873. He chose to set his business up to work exclusively ship, Boss & Co. has risen like the action, where it all comes
for the trade, and the company soon flourished as a phoenix from the ashes to very together.
supplier to famous makers such as Holland & Holland, near former strength and glory.
Stephen Grant, Joseph Lang, Henry Atkin, John Rigby
– and Boss & Co.
24
Stocker Doug Lake is working The file remains the most trade. Only this way could he be certain to live up to the
on a stock for a new Boss over important tool in the process motto of the company ever since the days of Thomas
and under gun. of building a Boss gun. Almost
Boss: only the best is good enough.
all work is still done by hand.
New challenges
Later on, John Robertson also patented a particularly
efficient ejector system as well as a construction, which In order to maintain a member of the Robertson family
many regard as the very essence of Boss ingenuity: the in the management of the company, Alec’s nephew, John
elegant Boss over-and-under gun. Gilbert Robertson, was appointed director. He was not
directly involved in the daily work of the company and
John Robertson managed to place Boss & Co. among had no prior knowledge of the gunmaking trade. In 1990
the very elite of British gunmaking industry − a position John Gilbert’s son, Timothy Robertson, took over the
still held by this famous company. He remained at the position as director, and three years later he was appointed
helm of Boss & Co. until his death, caused by a relatively managing director.
banal appendicitis, in 1917 at the age of 77.
These were changing times for the makers of fine – and
John Robertson's time with Boss & Co. is without a expensive – hand-built guns. Towards the end of the
doubt the most important period in the history of the 1990s, Timothy Robertson felt that the business needed
company. It was during this period that Boss guns really some cash injection and he invited a group of Boss
established an extraordinary reputation in the market. enthusiast to invest in the company. A chance meeting
John Robertson employed only the best people of the in 2001 between the investor group and two brothers,
Keith and Graham Halsey, and a tentative enquiry if
they would sell Boss, resulted in the Halsey brothers tak-
ing over the entire business. Under their leadership, Boss
& Co. has risen like a phoenix from the ashes to very
near former strength and glory with the order books
filled several years ahead.
(Cont.)
25
When only the best is good enough!
The making of the beautiful Boss guns now takes place Boss guns are the best of the best. However, nobody claims
at a new factory, conveniently located next to the that they are inexpensive. For customers who want a gun
famous Kew Royal Botanic Garden near Heathrow that offers nearly the same qualities as a “real” Boss gun
Airport. Here ten of Britain’s most skilled gun makers but who is not prepared to pay the price of a handmade
are busy making Boss guns in much the same way and Boss gun, the Robertson range is a very good alternative.
to the same high standards as in old John Robertson’s
time. Most of the work is still done by hand and that The Boss & Co. shop was located in Dover Street in
takes time. Customers must therefore arm themselves central London for decades. Recently, however, the shop
with patience as the delivery time of a new Boss gun moved to new premises in Mount Street − roughly midway
typically is two years. between J. Purdey & Sons’ and Holland & Holland’s
shops in the fashionable Mayfair district in west London.
Even though there no longer are any members of the Thus, it is fair to say, Boss & Co. is positioned exactly
Robinson family active in the company, the Robertson where this honourable and history-rich company ought
name lives on more vividly than ever under the to be: in between the most famous British gunmaker
frame-work of Boss. Recently Boss & Co. introduced names of all times.
a whole new series of side-by-side and over-and-under
guns, which bear the Robertson name. The Robertson From this position, the new owners of Boss & Co. can
guns are made by modern CNC-controlled precision look forward towards a bright future. Fortunately the
machines at a Birmingham factory. They are subse- international market for uncompromising quality goods
quently being engraved and finished by hand to a very is as healthy as ever. A market where only the best is
high standard. good enough! N
26
LAKSEN TWEED
The stories behind the origin of the name Tweed are Quite another version of the story is that a certain
plentiful. Many people believe that the name is related William Watson from the town of Hawick in southern
to the Scottish river Tweed, as many of the best-known Scotland in 1826 delivered an order of Scottish ”Tweel”
weavers of Tweed were located near the river. to Jason Locke & Co., a well-known wool merchant in
London at the time. The shop manager was evidently
a much better wool salesman than office clerk, and the
next time he placed an order, he accidentally substituted
the “l” in Tweel with a “d” = Tweed. William Watson
evidently liked the name Tweed and he subsequently −
very successfully − adopted this as the trade name for his
wool cloth!
7848 “Kelly”
pullover, cherry
50% lambswool, 21% 7857 “ Quail” sweater,
nylon, 11% angora, celestial blue
10% cashmere. Turtleneck 95% lambswool, 5%
pullover in a light and soft cashmere. Also available
quality. Also available in in chestnut (item No.
leaf green (item No. 7849). 7856).
30
3160 Conaglen tweed jacket
8160 Conaglen tweed hat
2160 Conaglen tweed trousers
7857 Quail sweater
3192 Skibo tweed jacket
2192 Skibo tweed breeks
7856 Quail sweater
SKIBO
33
TRAVEL
36
10001 Cartridge case
High quality oak and leather. Fully felt lined. Brass lock 10005 Cartridge pouch
and brass reinforced corners. 5 cartridge compartments Soft cow leather with elastic cartridge
with felt lined dividers. straps. Magnetic lock.
37
Bror Blixen…
– adventurer and
white hunter
From Sweden to Kenya of America in 1492.) As the third son of a noble family,
Bror had no family obligations. It was his older brother,
Text: Anastassia Arnold Carl’s duty to carry on the family estate. As long as Bror
found himself a way to make a living, the family was
The American writer Ernest Hemingway wrote about happy. As a start, Bror finished an education as farmer
Bror Blixen: “The Baron was not a man that you forget.” and he subsequently became the manager of Stjärneholm,
the home farm of the Näsbyholm estate.
Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke was born in 1886. His
family background was two old noble families. His mother, Bror was an accomplished cattleman, but life on Stjärne-
Clara, was countess Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs who grew up holm soon became too boring for him. As soon as Bror
on the Denmark’s largest estate, Frijsenborg. His father was old enough to handle a gun, he eagerly pursued the
was baron Frederik von Blixen-Finecke, heir to the Blixen-Finecke family’s hunting and shooting traditions.
Dallund estate in Denmark and the Näsbyholm estate Näsbyholm was famous for offering the best shooting in
in southern Sweden. The von Blixen-Finecke family is all of Scandinavia, and members of the royal families in
able to trace its origins as far back as 1239. (Some two both Denmark and Sweden often came shooting on the
hundred and fifty years prior to Columbus’ discovery estate. The young Bror knew of nothing better than
38
“the
the freedom
free of the fields and woods, the joy in wander- Anastassia Arnold
has a Master of Arts in Nordic literature. She is the
ing abou
about at will, without compulsion, and observing author of five books. The biography “Bror Blixen
the wild things and scenery, causes a strange singing in − an adventurer” received much acclaim when it
the blood
bloo – it’s a tune one never forgets, which no school was first published. Epoch-making new evidence
discipline can drive out of one’s mind.” Bror recalls in
disciplin revolutionised previous Blixen research work.
his book African Hunter.
Later she authored “The ballad of Marie”, a bio-
graphy about the Danish woman painter, Marie
Bror’s tw
twin brother, Hans, was his regular hunting com- Krøyer. The book became a bestseller in the Nordic
panion. Their first prey was hares, which they sold to countries with more than 160.000 copies sold.
the local butcher. The proceeds were quickly spent. The biography covers Marie Krøyer’s life from
her youthful ambitions as an artist, through the
Later Bror
Bro stated that he thought he would probably have marriage with artist celebrity P. S. Krøyer, to the
fatal love affair with Swedish composer Hugo
remained manager of Stjärneholm if he had not become Alfvén. Anastassia Arnold is the co-author of the
engaged to his half cousin, Karen Dinesen. “Between us book “Portraits from a marriage. Marie and
we built up in our imagination a future in which every- P.S. Krøyer”.
thing bu
but the impossible had a place”, Bror recalls.
In connection with the research for her fourth
book, “The art in Marie Krøyer’s life”, Anastassia
Their plans included all kinds of wild ideas about emi-
Arnold discovered 40 paintings by Marie Krøyer,
gration to Malacca or Russia, until one time when they which subsequently completely changed to conception
visited Bror’s uncle, count Mogens Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs of Marie Krøyer’s role in Danish art history into
at Frijsenborg. He had just come home from a safari to one of the leading figures among woman painters.
Kenya. The more count Mogens told them about Kenya,
the more they become determined to go there. According
to what people told them, it was easy to make a fortune
on farming in Kenya.
39
Bror Blixen – adventurer and white hunter
like he had come to the Garden of Eden. “One simply young masai moran as a guide, the gun bearer Ismail, and
cannot believe ones eyes. The train plows its way forward the old cook Ismail who made up the rear, riding a mule.
across the plain between whole regiments of giraffes, gnu,
antelopes, graceful gazelles (Grant’s and Thompson’s), The recent rains had cut deep furrows in the dirt road,
ostriches, and zebras… − Only a few hundred yards but when they reached the plains of the Kedong valley,
to the southward a big heard of elephants is galloping the unrestricted views and the swarms of game after they
along, and among them a rhinoceros.” had been driving through endless bush was breathtaking.
The first camp was set up at the foot of Mount Souswa.
In the highland outside Nairobi, Bror purchased the The next day they passed through one of the most beautiful
Mbagathi coffee farm and then sent for Karen. On the 14th landscapes in Kenya. The heart of Masai country. The
January 1914, the day after Karen had arrived Mombassa Kedong valley is surrounded by blue mountains: Mount
by boat, she and Bror got married at a simple ceremony Souswa with its long flat crater top, to the north Longenot
with the Swedish prince Wilhelm as a prominent witness. with its two camel humps and furrowed slopes. And to
the west, the Mau mountains rose from the plains with
Honeymoon safari their primeval forests of cedar and olive trees.
Without a map, Bror and Karen Blixen started out from After having shot all the ordinary species of antelopes,
the Kijabe station on their first safari. Along they brought zebras and gnu, they focussed their attention on lions.
two heavily laden wagons, a light mule-drawn cart with In the cool darkness before sunrise they left camp together
a sunroof for themselves, Bror’s servant Farah, a saise, with their masai tracker heading for the direction where
whose job is was to look after their horses and mules, a they heard lions roar during the night.
40
The days went by without any success on the lions. Bror, she wrote an ecstatic letter to her brother, Thomas
Later on in life, Bror became famous for his ability to Dinesen, explaining about the intoxication of the hunt
get lions for his clients. He was able to track lions where and about getting the big cats on one’s brain.
nobody else could find the slightest trace of them in
the bush. But in his early safari days, he did not know On this, their honeymoon safari, Bror and Karen were
enough about the habits of lions. Many years later, he full of happiness. Their life together was never to become
stated that everything he knew about lions he learned so uncomplicated again. On a photograph taken on the
from fostering the orphaned lion cub, Kom. safari, Bror and Karen stand closely together behind their
trophies. They look like each other. Slim and suntanned,
One day when they were out shooting meat for the camp, they are beaming with harmony.
their saise came running for them. A male lion was taking
a snooze on a riverbank near their camp. They hurried Thirty years later, when a friend asked Karen Blixen what
back, even though they were sure that the lion had dis- she wanted most in life, she replied without hesitation:
appeared by then. But it was still there. It lay completely “Once again to go on safari with Bror”.
still, watching them with its massive head resting on its
forepaws. Bror quickly changed his gun. For a short White hunter
moment the lion lifted its head and Bror immediately
fired. The bullet struck the lion in the centre of the chest Bror hated the trivialities of repetition. Whether in love
and it fell without uttering a sound. or work. He was not cut out for the quiet life at home,
nor to stick to only one woman. His immense vitality
In the evening the natives celebrated the demise of the and energy required constant challenges for his mind
lion with a Ngoma. Hesitantly a few of the young men and courage. The marriage with Karen did not last.
started to dance. “Little by little the circle of dancers
widened. Rhythmic marching on the spot, interrupted After the break-up from Karen in 1922, Bror was stripped
by regular bounces either straight up or to the left or right. of everything except his guns. His creditors’ hunt for him
The warm bodies shining like bronze in the flickering was so intense that he was forced to hide himself in the
light of the fire. The night was amazingly bright, and bush near Isoli. But then his close friend, the governor,
the stars were sparkling like never before”, Bror writes. Sir Robert Coryndon intervened and referred some friends
of his who wanted to go on safari to Bror.
In Denmark Karen had taken part in hunting activities
but she did not quite understand the hunters’ enthusiasm In the middle of the night, Sir Robert drove his friends
for the hunt itself. But after four weeks on safari with into the camp and woke up Bror. “I want you to take
41
Bror Blixen – adventurer and white hunter
my wife and me on a safari from the East coast to the dunes of the Sahara, the truck should have been specially
West coast. By compass, you understand, the straight way. built with extra large coolers, wide tires, six-wheel trac-
Imagine a ruler on a map…” Quietly Bror explained to tion, and a reduction gear. Additionally, it was the wrong
the hothead, there are no straight roads in Africa. ”Then time of year with frequent sandstorms and dried out water
we will cut our way through”, the man replied. In spite holes. The more the governor spoke against the venture,
of his crazy idea, he appeared to Bror as a man of reason. the more intriguing the two gentlemen found the Sahara.
Was he aware that it would be an extremely time con-
suming project? “I have got two years, that ought to do”, It took the two daredevils 16 days to complete the 4,535
replied Sir Charles Markham. Salary for two years! It was kilometres from Kano to Algiers, straight across the Sahara
like a heavenly gift for Bror. Together with the Markham where daytime temperatures hovered around 50° C in
couple, Bror travelled to Uganda and Congo, he hiked the shade. They lost their way and they nearly died of
along Lake Victoria, north to Lake Rudolph, and thirst, but after having traversed the Atlas mountains,
through Ethiopia. they safely reached Algiers.
This safari was the start of Bror’s professional career as a Beryl Markham and Bror
white hunter and of a life-long friendship with Charles
Markham. The two friends made several expeditions A close friend and partner was Beryl Markham. She
together. Including a five-month long expedition where became famous when was the first person ever (man or
they collected and registered fish and plants from the woman) to fly single-handed across the Atlantic from
Congo and Chari rivers for the British Museum of London to the USA. It was a worldwide sensation in
Natural History. The trip from Bangui to N’djamena in 1936 when she landed on the easterly shores of Cape
Chad had been a fatiguing affair, full of hardships. They Breton of Nova Scotia.
were both set on getting to Europe as quickly as possible.
They then got the idea that they could save a lot of time Beryl grew up on her father’s farm at Njoro in Kenya.
by going due north through the Sahara desert – the direct She learned hunting techniques from her African
route to Algiers − by motorcar! They bought a truck playmates. In the course of her life she changed her
without having even seen it. The governor of Chad did career several times. From breeding racehorses to pilot,
all he could to talk them out of the project. The vehicle, author, and then back to breeding racehorses in Kenya.
an International Delivery Truck, was a standard model As one of the first white hunters in Africa, Bror would
built for the roads of USA − not for desert driving. In use an airplane, piloted by Beryl, to locate game for
order to be suitable for ploughing through the sand clients.
42
Beryl found Bror’s endurance almost scary. He could unless he was actually in the process of hunting a prey
walk for weeks, even months, non-stop from dawn to – then he would always carry his own gun and am-
dusk on the trail of an elephant. The only people who munition. One thing, though, he did have in common
were able to keep up with him were the natives. The with the white hunter hero of the movies: the almost
years in Africa left their mark on Bror. He suffered from magnetic attractiveness for women.
several tropical deceases. From time to time he would
fall in his tracks somewhere in the bush, shivering with During the twenties and thirties, Bror became almost
malaria fever, only to be up and walking the next morning a living legend. His visits to European and American
as if nothing had happened. “With an appearance like cities was always prominently publicised in the gossip
the half brother of Death, but still capable of shooting columns of the local newspapers. The years that Bror
as dead straight as always and doing his job with the − or Blix as his friends and clients called him – was active
usual professional competence”, Beryl Markham recalls. as a white hunter and safari guide were to become his
best. The culmination of his life.
Bror had acute senses and instincts. One glance at the
sun, even when it was covered by clouds, and Bror knew The Africans gave Bror the nickname “Wahoga”. This
exactly what time of day it was. Once, when Beryl flew means wild duck, and it was in reference partly to his
Bror from Kenya to England in her small sports plane, slightly waddling gait, partly to his restlessness and
he awoke from a slumber and exclaimed: “I can smell unquenchable thirst for freedom and wandering. The
Sudd!”, when they passed the Sudd papyrus swamps at natives immediately recognised that he was one of the
high altitude. His sense of smell had awoken him. Even great wanderers.
at an altitude of several hundred metres, he knew in his
sleep exactly where they were! Bror gained a great deal of respect from his natives
friends, they regarded his legendary endurance and
The profession as white hunter was made for Bror. abilities as a hunter as almost mythical. When he left
Here the skilled hunter, the pleasant party person, the Africa after 24 years, they regarded him as a ‘raki sana’:
eminent organiser, the ever restless, adventurous and a great friend. Such respect, however, is not easily gained.
fleeting womaniser all come together in one and the You get it neither as a result of wealth or generosity, nor
same person. Bror’s aristocratic background gave him an by acting as the defender of the natives’. Such respect
extra advantage as most of his clients were either British is granted only to someone who has a greatness in his
upper class or wealthy Americans. The British felt that personality and who displays a large amount of courage
they were in the company of one of their equals, and the in his actions.
newly-rich Americans loved to be close to a member of
the coveted aristocracy. The are plenty of examples of Bror’s courage. One example
is from a photo safari with a Swedish film photographer.
His looks, however, in no way lived up to the Hollywood In the 1920’s the photo equipment was rather crude. It
image of the great white hunter. Bror was neither hand- was necessary to bring the photographer up quite close
some with clear-cut features, nor silent and short-tem- to the game in order for it to look like something on the
pered. Nor did he adorn himself with the traditional film. It was Bror’s task to locate crocodiles, hippos, buf-
white hunter’s attributes, such as big knives, revolvers faloes and rhinoceroses and get them in as close to the
or binoculars. Bror was round-cheeked, talkative and camera as possible.
pleasant to everybody. He never carried anything around
43
Bror Blixen – adventurer and white hunter
In order to give the photographer a shot of an attacking Everything was possible according to him. He turned
rhino, Bror crept up to it covered by a bush. He then one’s wildest dreams into reality. So what matters a little
slapped the drowsy rhino bull across its snout before money in relation to this!”
jumping in to its field of vision, sprinting towards the
film camera. One of the two accompanying hunters One client, major Edward Cooper, insisted that he
were then supposed to shoot the animal when it got too wanted to hunt lions with a bow an arrow. It was more
close to Bror. The plan obviously worked out! sporting and fair to the lion than using a rifle, the newly
arrived client lectured Bror. Bror’s scepticism was abruptly
On safari with the Prince of Wales dismissed by Cooper. It was bow and arrow, period!
After wounding a lion, it attacked Cooper when it was
After the divorce from Karen Blixen, Bror married English stopped by a well-placed bullet from Bror’s rifle. Cooper
Cockie Birkbeck. Cockie had lived her life among the subsequently forgot all about hunting with bow and
upper class but was basically without means of her own. arrow − but never his gratitude towards Bror for saving
Just like Bror, she was a lively and carefree soul. his life.
Many of Bror’s safari clients became his close friends. On Bror’s recommendation, Cooper later bought a farm,
Several of them lent him money and never got it back. Singu Estate, in Tanzania. Singu Estate was situated ten
But somehow it never seemed to have any influence on miles outside Babathi village in the Pinaars Heights,
their friendships. Like one client friend once said: “In 3000 feet above sea level. The nearest town, Arusha, was
the company of Bror, I felt more alive than ever before. more than one hundred miles away. Cooper appointed
44
Bror as manager of the farm where he and Cockie moved Denys spotted the elephant. When the prince stalked
into a mud-built hut, their temporary home. Later Bror up close, he accidentally stepped on a dry twig. When
built a wooden house with three rooms for them. There it snapped, “the elephant set off at full speed at a rate of
was no water or toilet in the house, and when they had forty miles an hour and was gone before we could count
guests (which they often did), they camped outside the three”. Devastated the three hunters fell to the ground.
house. In the following years, Bror divided his time
between ploughing up new land, running the farm, and Bror was fascinated by elephant hunting. Against
being away on months-long safaris in order to make elephant the odds are mostly in your disfavour. Partly
extra money. because of the physical advantages of the elephant, partly
because of its intelligence and ability to react. “Just like
In November of 1928, the Prince of Wales − who later, the buffalo, the elephant reflects on the situation and
for a short period of time, was to become King Edward draws its conclusions that rarely are wrong”. There
VIII before he abdicated in favour of life together with were occasions where Bror seriously doubted who was
Mrs. Wallis Simpson – came on an official visit to hunting whom when, totally exhausted, he was stagger-
Kenya together with his brother, Prince Henry. After the ing along on the spoor of an elephant for the third
official visit, the two princes came to Arusha in order to consecutive month.
go hunting. Prince Edward himself contacted Bror and
asked him for his assistance in bagging a lion. The leader After the royal safaris, Bror’s reputation sky rocketed.
of Prince Edward’s safari, Denys Finch Hatton, had Everybody wanted to go on safari with Prince Edward’s
told the prince that Bror was the best lion man in all of professional hunter. Together with Phillip Percival, also
Africa. Would Bror care to join the safari? Bror accepted known as Pop, Bror formed the safari company Tanganyika
the proposal on the spot. Guides. Blix and Pop were in a class of their own. They
charged up to 150 or 200 Pounds per month where
The professional hunters stopped at nothing to find a others gladly accepted half that. Tanganyika Guides only
lion for the prince. In a landscape dominated by tall knew two categories of safaris. First class safaris where
grass, they discovered a male lion. Bror knew that it was the clients had up to three aeroplanes and a huge staff
now or never so he went into the thicket alone in an of people at their disposal. No effort was spared to fulfil
attempt to scare the lion out by means of loud shouts the clients’ wishes. Second class safaris were less lavish.
and clapping of the hands. Prince Edward got his lion,
and the heir to the Throne was suitably impressed by One of Tanganyika Guides’ clients was Ernest Hem-
Bror’s fearlessness. In his diary from the safari, Sport ing-way, who went on safari with Phillip Percival as his
and Travel in East Africa, the prince writes that Bror’s guide. On his return journey to Europe, Hemingway
“attitude towards lions is that of the prophet Daniel”. met Bror on the cruise liner “Gripsholm”. The two men
exchanged hunting stories on the ship’s deck and in the
In 1930 Prince Edward returned to Kenya, this time bar. To Hemingway, Bror was the real thing compared
the main object was elephant. In Jipi near the Paré to his own poor imitation of a big game hunter. The
mountains, they came upon the tracks of a very large two men kept close contact through the rest of their
elephant bull with exceptionally large tusks. For four days, lives – even though they rarely met in person. They did
Bror, Denys Finch Hatton and the prince tracked the go on a fishing trip together once on Hemingway’s boat,
elephant in a fearful heat. “The spoor positively smelt “Pilar”, off Bimini Island – one of the Bahamas isles. On
of him, but we had not seen him”. On the fourth day, board with Bror was the new love of his life, the Swedish
45
Bror Blixen – adventurer and white hunter
46
GORE-TEX®
47
3251 Moose hunting jacket
1251 Moose hunting trousers
40 Gore-Tex® hat
7854 New Foundland sweater
MOOSE
8142 Backpack
Detachable frame transforms
into a padded seat. Large pocket
9608 “Ranger” with drawstring. Large side
Gore-Tex® gloves pockets. Detachable thermo-
40 Gore-Tex® hat 100% polyester fleece, with insulated bag. Waterproof bag
Warm and waterproof. Gore-Tex® insert. Polyamid cuff. inside for wet items. Pocket at
Colour: Forest green blend. Waterproof. top for documents.
50
CTX™ MEMBRANE
51
3257 Buffalo hunting jacket
1257 Buffalo hunting trousers
8620 Eagle hat
BUFFALO
10 “Flex” suspenders
Durable button-on suspenders with 8620 “Eagle” knitted hat
leather trim. 100% pure new wool.
53
YACK
54
3231 Yack jacket
1231 Yack trousers
8131 Yack hat
3296 Sika jacket
1296 Sika trousers
7855 Hardy sweater
8171 Boar hat
SIKA
58 Fleece gloves
100% microfleece. Breathable. 8315 Laksen cap
Shooting finger. Reinforced 100% cotton. Lightweight with
palm. Colour: Dark green. ventilation. Laksen logo. Adjustable.
57
3241 Lady Yack hunting jacket
1241 Lady Yack hunting trousers
8315 Laksen cap
9300 Woodman gloves
6202 Neoprene boots
LADY YACK & MARMOT
60
3502 Marmot shooting jacket
2610 Skibo moleskin breeks
8315 Laksen cap
5628 Serengetti hunting vest
6627 Serengetti shirt 7682 Katavi ladies shirt
1627 Serengetti jeans 1682 Katavi ladies jeans
SERENGETTI - KATAVI
63
LIGHTWEIGHT ZIP-OFF
DRY+UV-CUT
1620 “Mara”
zip-off trousers
100% polyester with
Nano finish: sweat transporting,
antistatic, and resistant to UV rays. 5 pockets.
Adjustable waist and zip-off legs. Ideal for safaris 1621 “Mara” zip-off trousers
and hot summer days. Colour: bronze. Same as item No. 1620. Colour: olive.
64
7629 Arusha shirt
1620 Mara zip-off trousers
5602 Mara vest
8315 Laksen cap
Photos: Michael Sand. Text: Torsten Wegener.
Afrika is
changing
– but still wild...
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66
The Guinea fowl is the The wildebeest is half
pheasant of Africa, a horse, half bovine,
terrestrial bird that flies so the saying goes.
fast and high when A quaint creature
danger is imminent. in many ways but
A friendly companion an important player
on the dusty red dirt in nature's great
roads, and a welcome African circle of
variety on a monotonous life and death
camp menu. − whether as prey
to lions and
crocodiles, or as
keeper of the
A watchful eye savannah. Poor man's buffalo, some people call it, but there is
monitors your every is nothing poor about a large wildebeest bull. It is both strong
move from the and courageous.
thicket. A massive
Cape buffalo, ready
for escape − or
attack. You never The Latin name of
really know. the roan antelope
Defiant, resilient is hippotragus
and courageous. − horse goat − and
A challenge for the animal does
every hunter, and actually have some
justly one of the common features
Big Five. with both horse
and goat. But it
is an antelope,
The spiral horns of the greater kudu to many hunters are the one of the largest
quintessence of an African trophy. This handsome antelope in Africa and a
is common across much coveted
southern Africa. trophy. It takes
However, in East a large calibre
Africa, the hunter bullet to knock
must work hard for it down, and a
a good trophy. wounded roan
The kudu prefers bull should be
thorny bush where it approached with
can make itself invis- considerable
ible in a fraction of a care − it can
second. be lethal.
67
Africa is changing – but still wild…
The sable antelope is a
cousin of the roan. Black as
night and with formidable
scimitar-shaped horns. Un-
questionably one of Africa's
most handsome antelopes
but difficult to locate in the
wild. Some very good rea-
sons why it has always been
one of the most sought
after African trophies.
A prominent pair of
curved horns on the head
of a strong male waterbuck
is a magnificent sight as
he slowly makes his way
to his favourite foraging
grounds, while the sun The red-billed ox picker has specialised in removing ticks and
is sinking in the west. other bloodsucking insects from buffaloes and antelopes. That
A master waterbuck makes the bird a welcome visitor, no matter where on the host
needs not fear the animal it seeks its prey. The impala buck willingly lowers its ear
coming of night. to allow for easy access for the bird. If the number of ticks on an
animal becomes excessive, it may ultimately succumb to anaemia.
The warthog is
Zebra are gregarious numerous across
animals with a strong the African con-
social hierarchy. Disputes tinent. It can
or breach of the social be a charming
etiquette are dealt with fellow to watch,
through fights with but make no
an aggressiveness that mistake; the
humans often interpret tusks of a large
as extreme brutality. boar can be
The socials bonds that sharp as knives.
keep the herd together If cornered,
provide security for the the animal
individual animal, but becomes
zebra live their lives dangerous to any enemy − even leopards, which
in the danger zone have warthogs on the top of their bill of fare.
as favourite prey to
lions.
68
“It was so hand-
some; I simply
had to possess It is the
it!” In this way, lionesses who
Karen Blixen provide food
explains why for the lion
she felt com- family. Even so,
pelled to shoot the patriarch
a large black- always has first
maned lion serve of the
that she saw meat from a
standing as a perfect silhouette on an ant hill. Since historic freshly killed
times, lions have always had an almost mythological effect on prey.
hunters, and lions remained the preferred hunting object for
both Karen and Bror Blixen.
69
Africa is changing – but still wild…
Gazelles by the The klipspringer is one
thousands greeted of Africa's many small
Bror Blixen from antelopes. Its name is
the savannah on highly appropriate as
his very first train these little animals live
ride from Mom- all their life in rocky
basa to Nairobi. terrain. Its hooves have
Much of the soft soles that provide
savannah has now excellent grip on the
been cultivated smooth rocky surfaces.
or turned into
grazing land for
the natives' herds
of cattle and
goats. Luckily, “It looked at me as if I owed
the Thompson’s it money!” In this colourful
gazelle is largely way, American author Robert
unaffected. Together with its larger cousin, Grant's gazelle, the Ruark, described the look
gracious Thompson can still be seen in great numbers on the that an old buffalo bull sent
East African savannah. him. There are many good
reasons why an old war-
battered “Dugga Boy” is one
of the most coveted trophies
The elephant is under pressure in large parts of Central and for any big game hunter.
Western Africa, but in most of Southern Africa the problem is
the direct opposite. In some places, the
number of elephant is so great that this
in itself is the biggest threat for the
survival of the species. Elephants can
be very destructive in their search for
food, and if the number of animals in
a particular area becomes too great,
the elephants destroy the possibility
for regeneration of their food sources.
This causes the elephants to seek
food on cultivated land, which in
turn leads to conflicts with humans
with only one sure loser. In such
areas, controlled and sustainable
hunting is the animals only hope for
survival in the long term.
70
71
LAKSEN BOOTS
With the introduction of the new Laksen boots, our The CTX™ membrane ensures watertight yet breath-
range of products is now almost complete. The Laksen able boots. Read more about the CTX™ membrane on
All boots are constructed around the sole. It is all- different models of neoprene wellies. They are made
important for fit, ergonomics, and comfort, therefore, from 6 mm thick neoprene reinforced by natural rubber.
that the sole is correctly dimensioned. Vibram® is one of In comparison with traditional rubber boots, the weight
the world’s most recognized manufacturers of soles for of our neoprene boots has been more than halved.
functional footwear. That is why we have selected the Neoprene provides efficient insulation, which makes the
best products from Vibram® for our boots. This ensures boots ideal for use in temperatures from −20° to +20° C.
optimum comfort, functionality, and wear resistance. Moreover, our neoprene boots are made with soles that
provide a very different level of comfort than traditional
72
NEOPRENE BOOTS + SOCKS
8122 Stockings
8127 “Acton” socks 8128 “Chaney” socks 65% new wool,
68% wool, 17% Thermolite®, 74% wool, 18% Thermolite®, 8123 Stockings 35% nylon.
13% polyamide, 2% elastane. 7% polyamide, 1% elastane. 65% new wool, 35% nylon. Designed to match
Light socks with Thermolite Heavy, soft socks with Thermo- Designed to match tweed tweed collection in
soles, absorb moisture and keep lite soles that absorb moisture collection in colour and style. colour and style.
the feet dry. and keep the feet dry. Green. Rust.
73
6206 Extreme Pro Hunter boot
BOOTS, GAITERS & LEGGINGS
75
3258 Woodman camo jacket
1258 Woodman camo trousers
8315 Laksen cap
MOSSY OAK® CAMO
77
REALTREE® CAMO
78
3259 Elck camo jacket
1259 Elck camo trousers
8359 Elck cap
6201 Neoprene boots camo
3401 Blaze camo jacket
5210 Gary vest
8316 Blaze orange cap
BLAZE ORANGE
82
OILSKIN
83
5125 Moleskin shooting vest 5126 Moleskin shooting vest
2125 Moleskin breeks 2126 Moleskin breeks
8144 Dalmore tweed cap 8171 Boar hat
7830 Astor pullover 7831 Astor pullover
MOLESKIN
85
LEATHER
5701 “Clay”
566 Buffalo skin shooting vest
shooting vest Shell: 100% buffalo leather.
Cotton lining. Two extra-large Large cartridge pockets, strap at side
cartridge pockets. One rear cartridge for attachment of ear protection, two-way
pocket with easy access. zipper, adjustable waist, large pockets at rear.
86
566 Buffalo skin shooting vest
167 Buffalo skin breeches
8171 Boar hat
7831 Astor pullover
3501 Antler shooting jacket
1231 Yack trousers
8315 Laksen cap
FLEECE
89
7828 Astor pullover 7829 Astor pullover
8150 Bruar tweed cap 8155 Kelso tweed cap
7617 Partridge shirt 7615 Muflon shirt
41 Grouse tie 41 Grouse tie
LAKSEN KNITWEAR
Laksen offers a large and varied selection of Tweed The Laksen knitwear fully matches the quality of the
garments for both ladies and gentlemen. That places genuine Scottish Tweed. In order to ensure this, we use
great demands on our range of accessories. only the finest cashmere, angora, merino, and lambs
wool materials.
For this year’s collection, we have designed a selection
of knitwear in colours that perfectly matches the various The carefully selected wool materials ensure super soft
tweed patterns. The different knitwear items can be put knitwear, exquisite in colours as well as design.
together with the Tweed patterns at will, according to
individual style and taste. For the gentlemen, matching shirts and ties are
available.
91
7855 Hardy sweater
KNITWEAR
93
SHIRTS
94
UNDERWEAR
95
ACCESSORIES
9608 “Ranger”
9501 “Fox” leather glove Gore-Tex® gloves
Soft leather glove with fleece trim, shooting 100% polyester fleece,
finger and CTX™ membrane and Thinsulate with Gore-Tex® insert.
lining. Windproof and waterproof. Polyamid cuff. Waterproof.
9570 “Burton”
shooting gloves
Soft PU leather. Protection
9580 “Sandwell” goatskin gloves with maximum sensitivity.
Leather shooting gloves. Lining: 100% Colour: Forest green.
silk.Shooting finger on right hand.
58 Fleece gloves
100% microfleece. 9701 “Go” leather glove
Breathable. Shooting 9300 “Woodman” gloves 100% soft nubuck buffalo
finger. Reinforced palm. 70% wool, 30% acrylic. leather, shooting finger.
Colour: Dark green. Fingerless! Thinsulate™ lining.
96
8131 “Yack” hat
100% polyester. Hat with CTX™
membrane, windproof and water-
proof and breathable. Fold-up orange 8171 Boar hat
warning tape. Classic felt hat, 100% wool with leather band.
60 Facemask
8315 Laksen cap 61 Safety band 100% acrylic.
100% cotton. 8316 Laksen cap Blaze orange colour. To wear Lightweight and
Lightweight with ventilation. 100% polyester. Adjustable with around the head, hat or sleeve. soft. Colour:
Laksen logo. Adjustable. logo. Blaze orange colour. Velcro closure. Green blend.
97
LAKSEN 2007/08
Artwork and production: VENTURE Communication A/S Laksen reserves the right of modifications and altera-
Printing: Nørhaven Book A/S tions of the products without notification.
Outdoor photos: Michael Sand and Torsten Wegener
Product photos: Jakob & Weiland The colour reproduction of the clothes is as close to
Hunters: Lars Karnøe, Britt Juul Andersen, Maria Louise reality as the printing process allows.
Busk, Erik Lundsholt, Bent Kiertzner and Allan Bach a.o.
Thanks to Anastassia Arnold; Marianne W. Asmussen, © Copyright Laksen A/S 2007
Rungstedlund; Graham Halsey, Boss & Co. − and to J.P.
Sauer & Sohn and Teviotex − for their participation.
Thanks to Leica and SMC-Automobiles for providing
equipment, and to Inge & Peter Busck for their kind
hospitality.
98
Eng
Laksen A/S
2007/08
Langdyssen 1
DK-8200 Århus N
Denmark
www.laksen.dk