Pedersoli Changed the Howdah Design - Do you like it?

[arcticap]

I went to Cabela's and saw a new Pedersoli Howdah in the display case. It had one of those hinged ramrod holding devices under the front of the muzzle so that the ramrod remains fixed under the barrel like some the military pistols had, i.e. - the Sea Service pistol. I wouldn't use it.

All of the Pedersoli Howdah's that I've seen previously had the ramrod conventionally bedded in the stock inside a ramrod well without the hinged part.
I can't say that I like the new design at all.
I wonder if it's because of the fact that one of our own uncovered a Howdah defect that allows small balls of shot to flow into the back of the lock work through the empty ramrod channel.
In his case the balls got wedged in the spring and damaged his lock. Then he notified Pedersoli about it after it was fixed by Dixie under warranty.
The Cabela's Howdah product page has a zoom in picture where the new device can be examined closely.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../search-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Just click on "zoom image" under the picture in the link and there's several photos of the device to view:

 

[c.robertson]

I just bought one yesterday, 21-Dec-09, listed for $382.49 -$70.00 promo card ended up paying $312.49.
It has the 'swing' rod and I think it looks neat. Don't plan to use it, will be getting a wood ram rod for actual use.

cbr

 

[BlackNet]

we had not that long ago a good detailed discussion about some design flaws with the howdah and how pellets can and will make it's way to the lock springs and break them.

I sent email to the president of pedersoli (was already in contact with them about the work I did on mine) and detailed them the problem and gave them the link to the thread on this forum.

I am curious to see detailed photo's of the changes that were made.

 

[ArmedBear]

Personally, I love devices like that. They're creative improvements on fundamentally flawed designs. As such, they're especially quaint, and especially neat.

I really like muzzleloaders, but the fundamental flaw, if you can call it that, is that you needed a ramrod to begin with.

The first military breech loader was issued in 1776, and while it had problems with breaking wood around the breech, this was fixed with a metal part.

 

[c.robertson]

Well, I have attempted to upload 2 photos of the CURRENT hinged loading rod on the Pedersoli Howdah.
I just took these photos today.

HA! It worked.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I think the old style looks better. The so called 'defect' is a five minute fix with .02 cents worth of JB weld. A good Tiger hunting Englishman would not spill as much as a single bb of shot.

Not much of a fix, you could still drop shot through that hole in the brass nose cap.

If you use the correct size round ball there are no problems! a.457 for size comparison.

 

[arcticap]

I like the freedom that a non-fixed ramrod provides. It allows the option to
just leave it off the pistol & to put it down on the shooting bench in between
shots if you feel like it.

Will that large flat ramrod head even fit into the Howdah's .50 caliber barrel?
Maybe it's only on the models that Cabela's sells?
And Cabela's doesn't list the .50/20 gauge.
The one pictured below doesn't look naked without it, it looks more natural,
although it's ramrod is not as secure either.
The hinge is just another item to keep clean!

 

[toolslinger]

I don't care. I just want one.

 

[scrat]

Same here

 

[alemonkey]

I don't like the way it looks, but I still want one. I'd prefer the old style with the free ramrod but I wouldn't cry if I came into possession of the new one either.

BTW, the latest edition of American Rifleman had a review of the Pedersoli Howdah. They pretty much said it's awesome.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I start looking for the old style I don't like than mess they call improved

 

[CAMPBELL49T]

madcratebuilder, That howdah just came out. And you already have. Wow
I would like one,too. I have a problem and she is Sweet. She is pretty easy going. I got two rifles, one new,used and a pistol. She bought the new Pedersoli for me. I bought the Cosair-jager used. Also a used seneca 45 cal, foe my Grand Daughter. All with in 45 days. It is a good deal and I need to convince her. You know how women are about sales. But iI think I will :banghead:run into a wall.........
Whish me luck

 

[goon]

Is it historically accurate?
It would make sense - can't lose a ramrod that's attached to the gun and a steel one is way less likely to break.

 

[BlackNet]

lemme see a photo of the barrels removed and on the bottom where the nipples are at. the L shape in the wood.

 

[BlackNet]

here, this explains and shows in detail the areas. What I want to find out is if they really did fix this flaw or not.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=476994

 

[madcratebuilder]

madcratebuilder, That howdah just came out. And you already have. Wow

The Howdah has been on the market for years. First design was a stand alone wood ram rod. second is like mine, the attached steel ram on a swivel. The brass nose cap is the third design.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I went to Cabela's and saw a new Pedersoli Howdah in the display case. It had one of those hinged ramrod holding devices under the front of the muzzle so that the ramrod remains fixed under the barrel like some the military pistols had, i.e. - the Sea Service pistol. I wouldn't use it.



All of the Pedersoli Howdah's that I've seen previously had the ramrod conventionally bedded in the stock inside a ramrod well without the hinged part.
I can't say that I like the new design at all.
I wonder if it's because of the fact that one of our own uncovered a Howdah defect that allows small balls of shot to flow into the back of the lock work through the empty ramrod channel.
In his case the balls got wedged in the spring and damaged his lock. Then he notified Pedersoli about it after it was fixed by Dixie under warranty.
The Cabela's Howdah product page has a zoom in picture where the new device can be examined closely.

I don't think that's a Howdah in your photo. It's a single barrel.

 

[arcticap]

That was my Sea Service pistol that was only used to illustrate an example of a hinged ramrod. That's why in the first post I provided the link to the Cabela's website and their zoomable Howdah image showing what the newly designed ramrod actually looked like.

The Cabela's Howdah product page has a zoom in picture where the new device can be examined closely.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../search-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Just click on "zoom image" under the picture in the link and there's several photos of the device to view:

 

[Mr Woody]

price change

In December of 09 the second poster here bought one for $382.49 and now the Cabelas link lists it at a penney short of $700.
Quite a change
W

 

[Ratdog68]

I like the original design of the wooden ramrod that stows like a conventional rifle's.

 

[Boberama]

What are the ballistics of those things?

 

[RyanM]

I don't like the new one. It rattles, and a steel ramrod can scratch the bore. I took mine off.