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Very nice.

I think the Howdah pistol of fame began strongly in the days of muzzle loading long arms. So slow to reload a short double barrelled handgun was kept as a last ditch defence against a wounded tiger or leopard.

With the introduction of breech loading long arms, quicker to reload, the Howdah handgun fell into decline. Or people continued to use muzzle loaders for a time anyway. No great need to reload one if used for its purpose. Either works or is too late. Perhaps the reason we see far fewer breechloading howday pistols.

I would love one, a muzzle loader and even more so, a breech loading brass cartridge model.

Other than Pedersoli is anyone making a howdah pistol today? I wonder if one of the great double rifle makers could or would still make one today as a special order for a customer? Any recent examples of this, does anyone know?

Finally, anyone know what accuracy can be expected? As extreme close range weapons, were they even regulated at all? Maybe one of our Alaskan members could comment. I know there have been one to maybe three brought to the Alaskan big bore shoots held each year.

The BGRC talked about having a Howdah competition. Never heard of one being held, but maybe someone else could comment? What would such a competition entail? I would think a largish steel gong at a short range might be suitable, with a short time period to take a shot? But blowback from the target might be an issue? An alternative better idea would be an extremely quick pop up or flip up tiger target at close range. And a shot required in a very short period of time. Similar to facing a tiger on the head of one's elephant.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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