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The Pedersoli "Alaskan" (nickel with black rubber covered wood) at least has a decent shaped grip. They do make a hammer version; but like the others the grip is based on the Ithaca Auto Burglar. I suspect they were trying to entice both the howdah and auto burglar customers. I actually like them as a modern-esque take on the howdah; after all who else is making one.

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The muzzleloader versions are, I think, truer to the original concept of the howdah. I have two. one is the early version with the swiveling ramrod. The other started as a kit and I shortened the barrels to 8 inches. Its easier to carry I had a local guy make me a crossdraw holster and its been worn several times in the shop. The full size can also be used with a stock.

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I seem to recall seeing an original supershort "Howdah Rifle". I cant recall if the stock on the original was fixed of removal.

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I posted some photos of a howdah pistol with a removable butt stock recently.

Also one of our members has a Howdah rifle, a short barrelled .375 rifle. The same rifle was featured on an NE thread several years before as well.

264/Micks and previously Marrakais. Fat Lady, a Greener shotgun conversion to .577 LNE has short barrels and could be called a "Howdah Double Rifle" very easily. 264 abd Marrakai, doing Top End Elephants Shikars!

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Years ago I was involved in 18th century living history. Once a year we had live fire competitions. The handgun class was separated into rifled and smoothbore. Historically guns of that period were both, You guys would know better than me; but I suspect Howdahs were both smooth and rifled. Likewise I suspect some had sights and some didnt. My shortened version does NOT have sights, as I imagine a hastily made or cost effective period gun would have been. The full productions guns all have sights.

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As for self defense from a charging animal Tiger, Wild Boar, or rabid dog; I dont see the need for a sight on a muzzle against flesh shot out to self defense at room distance against a two legged animal. Beyond room distance, I would suggest the howdah is not the best choice, and relying on sights to improve that is a mistake.

The Diablo is ugly by traditional howdah standards. Im pretty sure there was never any intent to duplicate a howdah. That being said; if original howdahs were made from shortened rifles and shotguns, then the Diablo follows that tradition.

I have long considered having a custom built howdah made in the traditional pattern; but lacking a winning lottery ticket or a booked tiger hunt; that contract is on hold

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When I win lotto I have the same eccentric plan. A modern British made Howdah pistol. What cartridge? Would they do it? It must regulate? A shoulder stock as well to make it more versatile. Tiger hunting is rarer than Howdahs nowadays. Would the bureaucrat nazis allow it to be made or owned? Need that one in several hundred million chance lotto win to find out.

In the meantime I hope to come across a vintage example, rifled or smooth bore at a price I can afford.

A Pedersoli ML and/or .45 LC restocked maybe as well. As I wondered want to over use a vintage example on shooting silly paper.

I think they would be simply great fun.

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John aka NitroX

...
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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