Can anyone tell some information on the Howdah
pistol,what I would like to know the calibers and barrel length and if there any books on this pistol....

Search Howdah pistol in the forum and you will find what you are looking for.
As for a book...
https://www.amazon.com/Howdah-...t-Maze/dp/1880677172

Had the 20-gauge Pedersoli percussion Howdah. Lots of fun with a patched round ball!

I don't have an original, authentic Howdah but I also have a Pedersoli except mine is a double .58 with a detachable butt stock. Practical for going in the thick vegetation.

Check with Omnivorous_Bob. He has an original that he graciously brought to the Alaska Double Rifle shoots I used to attend and allowed others to shoot it.
It is truly a piece of history and fun to boot.

Dave, what kind of performance and accuracy do you get from your short beast?

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Check with Omnivorous_Bob. He has an original that he graciously brought to the Alaska Double Rifle shoots I used to attend and allowed others to shoot it.
It is truly a piece of history and fun to boot.

OB does and I've been trying to trade him my Mossberg 12 gauge pump for it for years. Next time, I will add 25$ to the deal.
Cal

All I want to know if they would make good hunting Deer and Hogs in closed hunts?

Big Will, I can't post pictures of mine right now, but I think there are a few in some of the old Alaska Double Rifle Shoot threads in this section.

I've never shot anything but targets with mine but did take it on a caribou hunt. The year before they were walking past at 3 feet. That year they never came within 400 yards, go figure.

Mine is a 7" barrelled 577 snider Wilkinson. With 70 grains of Goex FFg and a .592" 450 grain bullet it gets 710fps. A big hole and decent power, very reasonable recoil, but so-so accuracy with a bead front sight. The rear trigger on mine is also fairly heavy, probably for good reason.

If you make it to our next double rifle shoot in Anchorage next May you're welcome to try it out.

Bob

Boomie, thanks for that link.

Two thing..can I hunt Deer and Pigs?this is what I like to know? And the other thing is would a 45-70 caliber be to much for an Howdah? I hope someone will write a book on Howdah someday..

Interesting example here:

https://www.rockislandauction....etail/69/1679#detail

Two thing..can I hunt Deer and Pigs?this is what I like to know? And the other thing is would a 45-70 caliber be to much for an Howdah? I hope someone will write a book on Howdah someday..

Here're are some pictures of mine, even with the illustrious Cal firing:





Personally I think a 45-70 wold be too much, but maybe find someone with a contender in that cal to try to see if it is for you?

Cheers,

I built this one for a customer last year.

More pictures and info here:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...51091312&f=760101804
I believe it would work great on deer or hog at pistol distances. 437gr round ball at 1000+fps(depends on charge) works on most North American game. The problem with muzzleloading pistol like this is state regulations, minimum barrel length, one or two barrels(some states don't allow two in muzzleloaders) and so on.

THAT is the definition of "Bad ass!"
I missed this build. When I get a spare 10k I want a pair of 2 bore muzzle loader pistols. Unless it costs less than that.

quote:

Originally posted by CowboyCS:
I built this one for a customer last year.

More pictures and info here:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...51091312&f=760101804
I believe it would work great on deer or hog at pistol distances. 437gr round ball at 1000+fps(depends on charge) works on most North American game. The problem with muzzleloading pistol like this is state regulations, minimum barrel length, one or two barrels(some states don't allow two in muzzleloaders) and so on.

I think most folks today have a misconception about the purpose and proper use of a Howdah pistol!

The Howdah pistol was designed to be fired like a sawed off shotgun with a pistol grip stock being held with both hands. The trigger hand on the pistol grip, and the barrels held in the other hand. Held that way one can control some fairly large cartridges with no problem at all.

The Howdah Pistols were placed in a scabbard on the inside wall of the Howdah,(Howdah being the passenger box on the elephants back) hence the name HOWDAH PISTOL.
The pistol is loaded and cocked, placed in that scabbard, sometimes one on each side of the Howdah and are there to stop a tiger coming over the elephants head into the howdah with the hunters. The distance to the target is rarely over six or seven feet and one doesn’t have time to cock the hammers. That is the reason the hammers are cocked when placed in the scabbard , and the range being so short many of the Howdah pistols do not even have sights other than a bead on the muzzle end of the pistol like a shotgun.
Holding a big bore Howdah pistol like a regular handgun is a recipe for damaged or at worst broken fingers.
....................................................................

Big Will, I have a good friend who has about a dozen true Howdah's in various calibers and he shoots all of them!! PM me and I can put you in touch with him when he is in town...

As stated by others, range is the question, these are relatively short barreled doubles....

He is working on a book on Howdah Pistols with a Canadian colleague as well.

Cheers,