Pedersoli Howdah: To buy, or not to buy?

That's been on my black powder list for a while but I haven't quite gotten there yet. So take this all with a grain of salt.

1. Probably. I *think* I've seen it as low as $600 but wouldn't swear to it. Dixie has all the different configurations for $750.
2. Powder, caps, cleaning stuff. If shooting patched ball you'll need patches and balls. If shooting shot or balls with cards you'll need shot or a ball and cards.
3. I've heard that there's a problem with side by sides where you shoot one side and the ball on the other side will end up moving, so whatever you do needs to be pretty secure.
4. If you want to shoot it with a stock Pedersoli makes a couple of different short barrel side by side shotguns that probably make more sense. If you're concerned about recoil just keep the loads reasonable.
5. Sure, why not? Should be accurate enough at handgun distances.

My understanding is that it attracts attention. Should be a good time. Hopefully if I'm very good I'll get one for Christmas.

Hey Packman,

What do you need it for? Is there a legitmate need for the weapon to be in your arsenal? If not, pass for then you're needlessly coveting. If I were in the market for a double gun for home defense, my choice would be a coach gun cause then I could at least hunt with it.

It might be nice to have on your leg while on safari in Africa should your blunderbuss fail to bring down that charging pachyderm...

duplicate

"legitmate need" seriously? If that's the criteria all the black powder guns are going right out the window.

EljaySL said:

"legitmate need" seriously? If that's the criteria all the black powder guns are going right out the window.

Click to expand...

That depends on how you define it and what is included in it of course.

One can have a legitimate need for a concealed carry sidearm, personal defense, carbine, shotgun and rifle in black powder AND smokeless for example. And let's not forget those who shoot in those Cowboy Action matches, IDPA, etc.

It's huge. Basically it's a Kodiak double front stuffer with reduced barrels and a pistol grip instead of a shoulder stock. The size is what's kept me away from them. I don't care for a handgun that heavy. But it will get attention at the range and is a hoot. It's a novelty gun. Fun but of no really practical use.

but words can not express the level of pleasure I would take in annoying the codgers at the local trap range with something like this.

Click to expand...

What about a musket? I just picked up an 1842 Armi replica from Dixie for a little more than you're looking at with the Howdah. It's a surprisingly well-balanced beast and would certainly work for the shotgun range. You could actually hit something with it, too.

If you want it and buying it will cause no financial hardship, I don't see that any other justification is needed.

If you want to get a gun of the same type but at less cost, Middlesex Village Trading Co. sells a similar pistol for $475. It won't be as nicely finished as the Howdah and you may need to tune the locks a bit, but it will save some money. MVTC also offers a double barrel flintlock pistol if you prefer.

Howdah

I was going to suggest the Howdah available from Middlesex....but the last post beat me to it.
I have one. It is a hoot to shoot. Nominally, it is twenty gauge but I found that I needed 17 gauge components to get the right fit.
The Middlesex version is handier than the Pedersoli as it has shorter barrels.
I keep meaning to take it into the field, especially in brushy cover for close shooting of grouse but have not done so. Need a bit more work with backyard Trap first.
Note....about tuning the locks. VERY true. The Middlesex Howdah that I have had absolutely the worst triggers I have ever tried to pull. No kidding....they had to be 40 pounds. It took two fingers on the trigger to get the hammer to fall.
Fortunately, the locks are not difficult to work on and respond to polishing and judicious filing quite well. After considerable work - I polished every part and every bearing surface and reduced the thickness of the main and sear springs - I was able to reduce trigger pull to about 10 lbs.
Pete


(See this link for some very helpful info about locks: http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/lockfunction.html..

I have never bought a gun that I "needed". Only those I wanted.
You want it? Can you afford it?
If the answer to both of the above is "Yes", go for it.
You know the Howdah style pistol was designed to kill tigers that were attacking the howdah(basket of the back of an elephant). Normal range of the shot was around 5 feet. Huge impact, equally big recoil. Life or death so recoil was unimportant.
Are you aware that you can still buy modern ones that load up to elephant sized smokeless rounds?

Noz, has my sentiments exactly, never bought a BP gun I needed, but bought quite a few I wanted. Also sold a few I regretted.

Howdahs are a blast! Enjoy!

They are tons of fun!!!!!!!! The only bad thing I have ever heard about the Pedersoli is from guys that wished they would have bought the 20ga.

Why buy one???? Because you can't spend that money after the lid slams shut and they are pat'n you on the face with a shovel:banghead:

If you get one, look closely before you buy, some of them come with a loose wooden ramrod. Others come with a steel ramrod that is held by a swivel...The steel rod is nice since you can't drop/lose/or break your ramrod.

One thing I have always been going to do is add a rear sight to mine...someday.

There is a design issue with them...MAKE SURE if you load shot, that you DO NOT let any shot pieces fall into the ramrod hole in the end of the stock. This hole will funnel the shot right into your locks. I have heard of several seers being broken. With mine it just failed to catch at full cock and nothing bad happened.

It took me a while to figure out because at first, I had no idea what was causing this problem because it always seemed to "Fix" itself and I could never get it to do it with the gun apart....then I found that it was the #6 shot messing things up. Now I am more careful when loading the shot.

Good for you! Don't worry about it. Anyone financially in such rough shape that $650 is going to put them under is probably a lost cause anyway and may as well go out happy.

You will not find a BP gun that is more fun than the Howdah.
I had absolutely no legitimate need for a 20 gauge Pedersoli Howdah.
I'd always wanted a sawed off double, like in Mad Max, but couldn't afford one and didn't want the hassle of NFA paperwork.
I still don't need it, but I wouldn't sell if.
It's so much fun, it's almost carnal.
I"m going to carry it as a backup gun to my BP rifle, when hunting deer/hogs during BP season.
60-80 grains of BP under a round ball is loads of fun.
I cast mine from wheelweights. They penetrate nicely.
Shot loads are fun, too.

swathdiver said:

Hey Packman,

What do you need it for? Is there a legitmate need for the weapon to be in your arsenal? If not, pass for then you're needlessly coveting. If I were in the market for a double gun for home defense, my choice would be a coach gun cause then I could at least hunt with it.

It might be nice to have on your leg while on safari in Africa should your blunderbuss fail to bring down that charging pachyderm...

Click to expand...

OMG, you were being serious!?

For the OP, drool rusts guns and I think there are many others you should covet first, but, if that's your thing and you clearly have the excess cash (a savings account is good), then, what the heck. 20 ga./62 caliber is probably the most popular smoothbore caliber. You'll need some powder, ball, over powder wads and over shot cards, caps. A tiger?

They are pretty neat guns. I bought the Pedersoli 20X20 variation when they first came out. The .60 patched round ball works well - my favorite load is a patched round ball with #4 Buck on top of it. Patterns well and gives you a little more "affect."

Never had a problem with loads moving from recoil??? As far as being useful??? I certainly would not be worried about taking small game. With Buck and Ball, it makes a pretty good hall sweeper. Did I really need it??? NO... But, I didn't need my C&B revolvers, rifle, or my flint lock Brown Bess either.

Jaymo - good point on the Mad Max comment that a lot of folks don't think about. The 11 inch barrels would be a problem with a modern shot-gun. Black powder doesn't fall under those guidelines. The Howdah is a smooth-bore, black powder pistol.

Packman said:

In the end, is there any better reason to do something?

Click to expand...

To serve the Lord and lay up treasure in heaven???

I'd love to have one, but even at 650, they're a might steep for me right now. I should be in better shape in a couple of years, still moving in to a new place and buying things I need for the house/yard. Those things would make a pretty mean home defense gun loaded with maybe 3 buck, methinks. I currently keep a 20 gauge coach gun in the bedroom.

Just use the holy black and all will be right.

OK Packman let's see some photos!