Howdah pistol
The howdah pistol was a large-calibre handgun, often with two or four barrels, used in Africa and India from the beginning of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century during the British Empire era. It was intended for defence against lions, tigers and other dangerous animals that might be encountered in remote areas. Multi-barreled breech-loading designs were later favoured over contemporary revolvers, due to their higher velocity and faster reloading potential.[1]
Terminology
The term "howdah pistol" comes from the
19th century
The first breech-loading howdah pistols were little more than
Although howdah pistols were originally for emergency defence against dangerous animals in Africa and India, British officers later carried them for personal protection and even battlefield use.[3] By the late 19th century, top-break revolvers in more practical calibres (such as .455 Webley) had become widespread,[3] removing much of the traditional market for howdah pistols.
21st century
Modern reproductions are available from Italian gun maker Pedersoli in .577 caliber, .50 caliber, and 20 bore with percussion ignition
Popular culture
Howdah pistols have featured in popular culture such as the film The Ghost and the Darkness, the TV series Westworld and the video game Battlefield 1 which features a quadruple-barreled variant.
See also
- Animal attacks
- Ithaca Auto & Burglar gun
- Lancaster pistol
- List of multiple-barrel firearms
- TP-82 Cosmonaut survival pistol
References
Bibliography
- Maze, Robert J. (2002). Howdah to High Power. Tucson, Arizona: Excalibur Publications. ISBN 1-880677-17-2.