I seriously looked at bidding for a nice Howdah pistol for an auction some time ago, but not having a suitable licence it was pretty moot. Plus not being able to attend to have a look at it.

I'm intrigued, what legal 'mechanism' have people used to acquire a howdah pistol in Australia?

Are there any shooting sports require a howdah to participate?

A nice sized one is well over the .399 calibre rule. In SA knocking over steel plates is a requirement for a sport to justify a larger calibre.

I guess they are usually purchased as a "collectors" item?

My understanding then is one can not own ammunition for collection pieces, unless one gets a special PTA for the ammunition, and that is granted usually only once per year, though now that might be twice per year ... and one still can not own the ammo AFTER the shoot if any is left ...

Any way else?

I'm guessing the Pedersoli BP ML howdahs are pretty much off limits in Aust as well? I am guessing they are possible bank robbery tools per the boys in blue?

This is all a bit ridiculous. But I guess a collectors licence is the usual way.