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From a historical viewpoint, these theoretical discussions might give an idea what else might have been used. In addition to these very cool double barrelled howdah tiger defence pistols which seem to have had a very specific purpose. Other more usual firearms used for the purpose might have faded into obscurity. The side by side breech loading howdah pistol IMO owes its origins to the earlier muzzle loading howdah pistols. Two barrels being better for tiger than one! With breech loading firearms, breech loading DRs, shotguns might have been used. I am pretty sure the British officers, colonial officials, and Indian gentlemen hunting might have used the very common .455 Webley revolvers as well. All of these common firearms if used as howdah defence weapons would have faded into historical obscurity.

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A question, not wanting to go off topic. Remember to answer the original opening posts if you can.

Can anyone supply historical references to elephant howdah defense stories, books, articles? I'm sure I've read at least one. But I forget everything other than they squirmed backwards to escape the tigers slashing and grasping claws. I don't remember if the mahout survived unscathed, if a firearm was used etc. Very exciting and dramatic event no doubt.

How common were these instances? Rare or not?

A collection of historical references would be very cool and revealing.

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John, it would not surprise me to find incidents occurring today as common as in the past, maybe more as due to the tourist industry and of course the size of India's human population.

A quick search on youtube brings up a number of attacks today, not necessarily tigers in-the-box but nevertheless, attacking or at least displaying in a manner that would have...in the past...earned them a barrel or two of lead.

These vids might be of service in setting up your Howdah competition!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-WdLv8Es6g

Driver gets mauled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRiyQuIUEXM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UJ_RBTYK9g

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9hlWBu63hVk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4mwuvdnxHs

"The truth is, less than 85 people are killed or injured - accidentally or otherwise - in a year by tigers here. Many times more die of snakebites or rabies."

But still, let's say, 80.... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-25755104

How many of those 80 might have been stopped by a charge of buckshot or a slug from a "Howdah" gun? Who knows.

I remember when doing wolf research for our government-to-government coordination work being surprised at how many wolf attacks against humans occur in India. Again, dense semi-rural human population and the close proximity to feline and canine predators plus the restrictions on gun ownership and use against them ensures repeated attacks.

"India has the most attacks on humans by tigers, leopards and wolves
People in low-income countries are frequently targeted when farming and fishing."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-25755104

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