{"product_id":"original-victorian-14-bore-double-barrel-howdah-percussion-pistol-with-spiral-forged-barrels-circa-1850","title":"Original Victorian 14 Bore Double Barrel Howdah Percussion Pistol with Spiral Forged Barrels - circa 1850","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only one available. Now this is a pistol that really brings back the romance of \"Big Game Hunting\" during the early British Victorian Era. These very large bore pistols were originally made for close range use in a Howdah, which is the box compartment that sat on the back of an Elephant and used in tiger hunts throughout India and Nepal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficers would pursue this sport using high power sporting rifles to shoot their game from these locations of safety. Once in a while a tiger fought back climbing up the side of the Elephant to confront the Howdahs occupants. Therefore, the Howdah pistol was specially made to handle really substantial loads of powder together with a real tiger stopping Ball over .50\". Hopefully the hunter found time to lean over the side of the Howdah and shoot the invading tiger at point blank range for if not, he was quickly the tiger's lunch!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese were usually made in England, and sold to officers or other well-off people, and they became popular not just for Tiger hunting, but also for self defense. The name Howdah however stuck, even though many were never destined to be used while hunting tigers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very nice example of a Victorian Double Barrel Howdah Percussion pistol, in the standard \"Side by Side\" configuration. It is completely unmarked externally, so we assume it was made somewhere on the European continent, but it could possibly be British, or made in India, at the time controlled by Britain. We were able to get the barrel off, but there are no markings of any importance underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe measures about 13 \u003cspan\u003e½\u003c\/span\u003e inches in overall length, with 7 \u003cspan\u003e⅜ \u003c\/span\u003einch long .696\" caliber double barrels, which we believe were originally 14 bore, but now a bit worn. The longer length of this example would suggest it definitely has a good chance of being actually intended for \"Safari\" use. It features a lovely checkered wooden grip, and features all brass fittings, which have some lovely simple line engraving on them. This includes the butt plate, which also has a lovely lanyard loop on the bottom, to prevent it being lost should it fall out of the \"howdah\". The lock plates and hammers are engraved as well, making this a very decorative example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol has a lovely patina, with the barrels still faintly showing the spiral laminated steel pattern, with the rest of the iron worn showing a similar aged patina. Both locks are still functional, however the left lock will not hold securely at half cock, and both sides have a half cock that is too close to the cap nipple cones to be of any use. The cones themselves are quite worn, showing much age and powder burn, with the tops being crushed. The pistol even comes with an original iron ramrod, which features a cleaning pick on the end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice example of a Victorian Era Howdah big bore side by side pistol, with a lovely patina of age. Ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1850\u003cbr\u003eBore Diameter: 14 Bore about .696\"\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 7 ⅜ inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 13 ½ inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Percussion lock side action\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42012154167365,"sku":"ONJR24RCAJ018","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24RCAJ018__01.jpg?v=1728182647","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-victorian-14-bore-double-barrel-howdah-percussion-pistol-with-spiral-forged-barrels-circa-1850","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}