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**QUALITY MAKER**C1860 English Victorian Westley Richards London English Double Damascus Barrelled 15 Bore Percussion ‘Howdah’ Pistol With Captive Steel Ram Rod. Sn 22539 - 22539 The renowned English Gunsmiths Westley Richards & Co have been making unique and best quality shotguns and rifles for over 200 years. The Howdah pistol was a large-calibre handgun, often with two or four barrels, used in India and Africa from the beginning of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century, during the period of British Colonial rule. It was typically intended for defence against Tigers, Lions, and other dangerous animals that might be encountered in remote areas. The term "howdah pistol" comes from the howdah, a large platform mounted on the back of an Elephant. Hunters, especially during the period of the British Raj in India, used Howdahs as a platform for hunting wild animals and needed large-calibre side-arms for protection from animal attacks at close quarters. The earliest Howdah pistols were flintlock designs, and it was not until about 60 years later percussion models in single or double barrel configuration were seen. Even though Howdah pistols were designed for emergency defence from dangerous animals in Africa and India, British Officers adopted them for personal protection in other far-flung outposts of the British Empire. This is an excellent, original, percussion double barrel Howdah pistol by Westley Richards. Its side by side finely figured Damascus barrels are 5 ¼” in length and are 15 bore. It measures 11 ½” overall length. The smooth bores are clean. It has a broad top rib and small brass bead fore sight. The action plates have foliate engraved decoration and are signed by the maker Westley Richards. It has safety bolts on each action. Both barrels at the breech have silver roundel inserts. The barrel rib is engraved ‘Westley Richards 170 New Bond Street London’. It has double triggers, heavy Dolphin hammers and steel trigger guard all with foliate engraved decoration and is complete with its original captive steel ram rod. The weapon has a lovely walnut full wood stock which has chequering at the grip and inlaid void silver escutcheon on top of the wrist. The fore stock has a polished horn end cap. The pistol cocks and dry fires crispy. The price for this impressive percussion pistol by renowned English gun smiths includes UK delivery. NB as an antique percussion pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 22539
£1,895.00
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