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howdah schrotflinte
Original price was: $ 1,799.0.$ 1,422.0Current price is: $ 1,422.0.
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Original price was: $ 510.0.$ 485.0Current price is: $ 485.0.
howdah schrotflinte German
Original price was: $ 1,799.0.$ 1,422.0Current price is: $ 1,422.0.
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Description
Howdah Schrotflinte: The Classic Double-Barrel Defense Pistol
Big-bore stopping power in a compact package. The Howdah Schrotflinte (Howdah shotgun pistol) is a distinctive side-by-side or over-under double-barrel handgun originally designed for last-resort defense against dangerous game in the British colonial era. Chambered in large bore shotgun calibers such as 20 gauge or in combination cartridges like .45 Long Colt/.410, these pistols deliver immense close-range firepower. Modern reproductions by manufacturers like Pedersoli and IFG keep this historic design alive for collectors, sport shooters, and enthusiasts of classic firearms. Below you will find detailed specifications, features, benefits, and historical context.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail / Value |
|---|---|
| Model / Type | Howdah Pistol (Double-Barrel Shotgun Pistol) |
| Caliber Options | 20 Gauge smooth bore; .45 Long Colt / .410 (3-inch) combination; .50 caliber rifled; .58 caliber rifled; .577 Boxer (historical)[citation:1][citation:5][citation:7] |
| Action Type | Break-action, side-by-side or over-under, manual or automatic extractors[citation:1][citation:12] |
| Ignition (Modern Replicas) | Percussion (muzzleloading); Flintlock (muzzleloading); Centerfire cartridge (.45 LC/.410)[citation:3][citation:5][citation:12] |
| Barrel Length | Typically 10 to 11.25 inches (254–285 mm)[citation:1][citation:5][citation:12] |
| Overall Length | Approximately 16.6 to 18.9 inches (422–480 mm)[citation:1][citation:6][citation:19] |
| Weight | 1.8 kg (3.97 lbs) to 2.2 kg (4.85 lbs) depending on configuration[citation:1][citation:3][citation:6] |
| Barrel Configuration | Side-by-side (most common) or over-under (rare historical examples)[citation:5][citation:11] |
| Rifling | Smooth bore (shotgun calibers); 6-groove rifled with 1:900 mm twist (.45 LC/.410 versions); rifled options for .50/.58[citation:1][citation:4][citation:20] |
| Trigger System | Double triggers (front trigger fires right barrel, rear trigger fires left barrel)[citation:12][citation:19] |
| Sights | Brass bead front sight; V-notch folding leaf rear sight (modern versions); simple brass bead (traditional)[citation:12][citation:20] |
| Safety | Tang-mounted sliding safety or automatic hammer safety[citation:4][citation:12] |
| Stock Material | Oil-finished walnut with checkered grip; counterweight butt plate[citation:1][citation:5] |
| Frame Finish | Case-hardened steel, blued, or matte chrome (varies by model)[citation:5][citation:19] |
| Rail | None (traditional design) |
Advanced Features & Design Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual Barrel Design | Side-by-side or over-under configuration provides two immediate shots without reloading, ideal for emergency defense when a second shot may be critical[citation:7][citation:14] |
| Large Bore Calibers | Chambered in heavy-hitting calibers from 20 gauge to .577 Boxer, delivering substantial stopping power at close range[citation:5][citation:7][citation:8] |
| Break-Action Mechanism | Simple, robust unlocking lever allows rapid barrel opening for loading and extraction. Manual or automatic extractors lift spent casings[citation:1][citation:12] |
| Case-Hardened Lock Plates | Traditional color case hardening provides corrosion resistance and an attractive period-correct finish[citation:5][citation:6] |
| Walnut Grip with Checkering | Oil-finished European walnut stock with fine checkering on grip and fore-end ensures a firm hold under recoil[citation:1][citation:5] |
| Counterweight Butt Plate | A heavy butt cap or counterweight helps balance the muzzle-heavy barrel assembly and reduces perceived recoil[citation:5][citation:6] |
| Dual Trigger System | Separate triggers for each barrel allow the shooter to select which barrel to fire first, enhancing control and versatility[citation:12][citation:19] |
| Combination Chambering | Modern versions chambered in .45 LC/.410 offer flexibility to fire either large-bore metallic cartridges or shotgun shells from the same pistol[citation:1][citation:12] |
| Authentic Engraving | Modern reproductions often feature period-style engraving on lock plates depicting wildlife, adding to the historical aesthetic[citation:5][citation:6] |
Practical Benefits & Advantages
| Benefit Category | Detailed Advantage |
|---|---|
| Immediate Second Shot | The double-barrel design eliminates the need to cycle an action or reload between shots, providing a critical advantage in defensive or dangerous-game scenarios[citation:7][citation:14] |
| Massive Stopping Power | Large bore calibers (20 gauge, .577, .50) deliver tremendous energy at close range, originally intended to stop charging tigers and other dangerous game[citation:5][citation:8] |
| Compact & Maneuverable | Short barrel and pistol grip allow rapid deployment in confined spaces where a full-length shotgun would be unwieldy[citation:7][citation:14] |
| Simple & Reliable Operation | Break-action mechanism has few moving parts, making it robust and easy to operate under stress. No complex cycling or feeding mechanisms to malfunction[citation:12] |
| Historical & Collectible Appeal | Owning a Howdah pistol connects the shooter to the romance of Victorian-era big game hunting and British colonial history[citation:14][citation:20] |
| Ammunition Flexibility | Modern .45 LC/.410 versions allow shooters to choose between powerful metallic cartridges or various shotgun loads (birdshot, buckshot, defensive shells)[citation:12] |
| Sport Shooting Fun | The unique challenge of shooting a large-bore, double-barrel handgun provides a distinctive and enjoyable experience for recreational shooters[citation:2] |
| Ease of Cleaning | Break-action design allows the barrel assembly to be removed or opened for straightforward cleaning and maintenance[citation:2] |
Historical Context & Origin
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin of the Name | “Howdah” refers to the wooden or wicker seat mounted on the back of an elephant, used by hunters in British India during tiger hunts[citation:7][citation:14] |
| Primary Purpose | Last-resort defense against tigers, lions, and other dangerous game that attempted to climb onto the elephant to attack hunters[citation:5][citation:7][citation:14] |
| Historical Period | Primarily used from approximately 1800 to the early 20th century, popular among British colonial officers and hunters[citation:7][citation:8] |
| Original Manufacturers | English gunmakers including Lancaster, Purdy, Manton, Bland, and Charles McLoughlin produced Howdah pistols[citation:8][citation:14][citation:20] |
| Evolution | Evolved from muzzleloading percussion and flintlock systems to breechloading metallic cartridge designs. The Ithaca Auto & Burglar (1920s) was a later American adaptation[citation:1][citation:20] |
| Modern Reproductions | Davide Pedersoli (Italy) produces authentic blackpowder and cartridge versions. IFG imports .45 LC/.410 double-barrel models inspired by the Ithaca Auto & Burglar[citation:1][citation:12][citation:19] |
Popular Modern Configurations
| Configuration | Caliber | Barrel Length | Weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedersoli Howdah 45/.410 | .45 Long Colt / .410 | 10 in (256 mm) | 1.8 kg (3.97 lbs) | Cartridge shooting, sport, collection[citation:1][citation:4] |
| Pedersoli Howdah Hunter Flintlock | 20 Gauge | 11.25 in (285 mm) | 2.2 kg (4.85 lbs) | Blackpowder shooting, reenactment[citation:3][citation:6] |
| Pedersoli Howdah Hunter Percussion | 20 Gauge / .50 / .58 | 11.25 in (285 mm) | ~2.2 kg (4.85 lbs) | Muzzleloading, hunting, sport[citation:5][citation:20] |
| Alaskan Howdah (Taylor’s) | .45 LC / .410 | 10.25 in (260 mm) | 1.9 kg (4.19 lbs) | Cartridge shooting, defense, sport[citation:19] |
About the Howdah Schrotflinte — A Last Line of Defense
The Howdah Schrotflinte represents a unique intersection of history, engineering, and stopping power. Originally developed during the era of British colonial expansion in India, these double-barrel pistols were the ultimate emergency tool for hunters who pursued tigers from the backs of elephants. When a wounded tiger charged up the side of an elephant toward the howdah — the basket-like seat — the hunter needed a weapon that could deliver a lethal blow at point-blank range without the complexity of cycling a bolt or lever. The Howdah pistol filled this role perfectly: two massive bore barrels, a compact package that could be maneuvered in tight quarters, and enough power to stop a charging predator. While the golden age of tiger hunting has passed, the Howdah pistol lives on through modern reproductions by Davide Pedersoli and others. These contemporary versions capture the spirit and aesthetics of the originals, offering shooters the chance to experience a piece of firearms history. Whether chambered in traditional 20 gauge, versatile .45 LC/.410, or large-bore blackpowder calibers, the Howdah pistol remains a testament to a time when firearms were built for absolute reliability in the most dangerous situations imaginable.
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