While long barrelled, my 1876 10-bore Westley Richards double has as mentioned no standing leaf, so may as described in Marrakai's article, being designed for quick shooting.

I do hope it was once used on a howdah on an elephant's back for Tiger, Leopard, Buffalo, Gaur, Rhino, Sambar or other beasts of prey.

If only some of these firearms could speak.

And before someone asks, loads have not been developed for it yet. I should spend less time creating posts on NE for people to read.

In my opinion any good howdah firearm should have hammers. Especially any pistol or other howdah firearm for emergency defence. As the chambers can be loaded, the hammers down or half cocked and locked. And the handgun or short gun ready for sudden need.

Many of the modern Euro rifles have decocking 'safeties' and so would be suitable. Krieghof is a double rifle with decocking safetis.

A long barrelled rifle like this, would be awkward to move and swing around sitting on a howdah platform.