Howdah Pistol

[504Devil]

The 10 bore Howdah Pistol was a very interesting piece, any one have any more information on it.  Pederolsi makes a 20ga muzzle loading version, but the breach loading blackpowder metalic cartridge gun is a whole lot more appealing.  The old guns of the Safari have always interested me, I would like to see more on the big bores.

[Clark Kent]

I'd like to know how the name came about.  If it were "howdy" I could see an old Brit saying, "Howdy, Mr. lion," as he popped off a cap from atop his elephant.  But "howdah?" 

Or would it have been, "How do, Mr. lion?"   Do to dah is easier to figure. 

[PegLeg45]

I'd like to know how the name came about.  If it were "howdy" I could see an old Brit saying, "Howdy, Mr. lion," as he popped off a cap from atop his elephant.  But "howdah?" 

Or would it have been, "How do, Mr. lion?"   Do to dah is easier to figure. 

From their use in British Colonial India. The basket on the backs of elephants were known as 'howdahs'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdah

[tombogan03884]

I'd like to know how the name came about.  If it were "howdy" I could see an old Brit saying, "Howdy, Mr. lion," as he popped off a cap from atop his elephant.  But "howdah?" 

Or would it have been, "How do, Mr. lion?"   Do to dah is easier to figure. 

They were used for defense in the British Empire against Tigers by the people riding in the platforms atop Elephants, the platforms were called "Howdah's ".  Hence, "Howdah pistol" much like todays term "car gun".

[Michael Bane]

I believe that gun was made in 1878 at Remington's London lacility. The Howdah I shot has been in the same family since it was purchased new and was used as a back-up gun for big bear by a great grandfather of the present owner, who collected trophies for NYC museums back in the back when. The gun is beautiful and you'd swear it was new. I'm amazed it hasn't found it's way to a museum rather than to an idiot like me to shoot...

It does kick a bit!

Michael B

[Sponsor]

[m25operator]

Tom and Peg are spot on as to the origin of the name, Tigers were smart enough to know who was the real threat and would attack the Howdah's themselves.

[Clark Kent]

I know'd I shoulda checked it out first, but I so did wanna play with the howdy doody wordies.  So, considering that our best efforts have avoided confronting the "howdah" explanation directly, I now have done my homework, and here's a definition from the Farlex Free Dictionary:
Urdu haudah, from Arabic hawdaj, litter, sedan chair, from hadaja, to shuffle along, totter; see hdg in Semitic roots.

Also, I shoulda remembered that it was the tiger that liked to climb the elephant's rump.  Lions have too much dignity.

[long762range]

The last thing the tiger sees.

[Clark Kent]

um...er...gulp.

[Ping]

And pray that you make one or two shots count on the big cat!!! No offense Hazcat.