Original 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 These very large bore pistols were originally made for close range use in a Howdah, which is the box compartment that sat on the back of an Elephant and used in tiger hunts throughout India and Nepal. 

Officers 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!

These 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.

This 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. We were able to get the barrel off, but all that was stamped there were numbers like 15, 5, and maybe 12. The bore is not quite "15 Bore", so we do not know what these numbers signify.

The measures about 13 inches in overall length, with 7 inch long .65" caliber double barrels. 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 fluted wooden grip, and features all iron fittings, which have some lovely engraving on them. The lock plates and hammers are engraved as well, making this a very decorative example.

The pistol has a lovely patina, with the barrels still showing the "Damascus" laminated steel pattern clearly, and the rest of the ironwork displaying a aged steel patina. Both locks are still fully functional, holding at half cock, and firing at full. Condition overall is very good, with a lovely worn look. The engraving on the trigger guard and lock are well retained, and the grip is in great shape. The pistol even comes with an original iron ramrod, which features a cleaning jag or clearing worm on the end.

A 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!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Bore Diameter: about .65"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Percussion lock side action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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