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Thread: Howdah Pistol - Double-Barrel Pin-Fire

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    Howdah Pistol - Double-Barrel Pin-Fire

    Here's an interesting one. I'm having a hard time helping the owner ID this little pistol. I call it a howdah pistol, but really unsure of it's origin.

    Some very neat markings underneath the barrel.
    The grip is definitely not original.











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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Apparently these guns were carried on Elephant back to discourage tiger attack, among other things. Probably more of an anti bandit device. You'll see them in various calibers, rifled and unrifled... Here's the gist of it, if you believe what Wiki says. It's pretty close anywayzzz... Howdah pistol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Regards, Jim

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    Those are Belgian proof markings. The crown/E/LG/star designates it was proved in conformity of Germanicon Proof Laws of 1891. The crown/R indicates rifled barrels. The intertwined EL above the 10.9 is the provisional proof of the barrels prior to permanent breeching. Not certain but the 10.9 may be a caliber designation. Looks a bit too large in the pics but 10.9 mm roughly equals .429 caliber and it's a center fire, not a pin fire.
    Last edited by vintage hunter; 02-19-2015 at 04:03 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by vintage hunter View Post
    Those are Belgian proof markings. The crown/E/LG/star designates it was proved in conformity of Germanicon Proof Laws of 1891. The crown/R indicates rifled barrels. The intertwined EL above the 10.9 is the provisional proof of the barrels prior to permanent breeching. Not certain but the 10.9 may be a caliber designation. Looks a bit too large in the pics but 10.9 mm roughly equals .429 caliber and it's a center fire, not a pin fire.
    As usual, blown away by the wealth of knowledge on this forum.

    I was able to insert a .44 caliber casing into both chambers, but not able to close the action.
    So, I'd say your evaluation is spot-on.

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    They made them in lots of different calibers, even 303.
    Regards, Jim

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    Have confirmed 10.9 as being the bore diameter in millimeters. Being a BP fire arm the grooves would probably have been .008''-.010'' deep so I'm guessing actual bullet diameter would be around .450'' or so.

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    It wouldn't be in 577/450 would it? The breech doesn't look big enough but hard to tell from here. Maybe .455 or .476? How long is the chamber? What shape?
    Regards, Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    It wouldn't be in 577/450 would it? The breech doesn't look big enough but hard to tell from here. Maybe .455 or .476? How long is the chamber? What shape?
    How long is the chamber?
    - Can you explain what you'd like me to measure for you? Explain like I was a child :P
    I only ask because with my limited firearms knowledge, this pistol doesn't seem to have a "chamber."
    Just two spots where the rounds are loaded, similar to a couch gun.
    I'm surely missing something.

    What shape?
    - I want to say round, but that seems too obvious.

    I can take better/more pictures, and take measurements.
    Just tell me exactly what you need, and I'll get it tonight.

    Do we have any idea of the manufacturer or origin of this pistol?
    Last edited by dttuner; 02-19-2015 at 04:42 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    It wouldn't be in 577/450 would it?
    Same thing crossed my mind too. What a handful that would be. Probably frighten the living s%@T out of your elephant too.

    Quote Originally Posted by dttuner View Post
    How long is the chamber?
    Quote Originally Posted by dttuner View Post
    What shape?
    Just give us a inside measurement at the muzzle end and another at the chamber end for now. Should be able to figure out whether straight wall or bottle neck from that. If you have a good camera you might be able to get a descent shot of the chambers by shining a light in from the muzzle end seeing as how the barrels are so short. Something like this would give us a rough idea to toy around with until you can get more precise measurements.
    Last edited by vintage hunter; 02-19-2015 at 05:35 PM.

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    Is it a rifled barrel? Most I have seen are smooth bore .36 gauge (.410). Looks like a Belgian double barreled pistol to me. A smooth bore that shoots black powder .410 shotgun cartridges.
    Last edited by UNPROFOR1994; 02-19-2015 at 05:40 PM.

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