The new Howdah features weather-resistant chrome and rubber components. (Photo: Italian Firearms Group)
Italian reproduction masters Davide Pedersoli & Co. have announced the release of a new “Alaskan” variant of their 45/.410 break-action Howdah pistol.
Imported through the Italian Firearms Group, the Alaskan Howdah threads the NFA needle with 6-groove rifled 10.25-inch barrels featuring lengthened 45 Colt chambers that can also accept 3-inch .410 shotshells. As a handgun (rather than a short-barreled shotgun), the Howdah can be purchased for $1,350 (MSRP).
With likely applications as a truck or snake gun, the original Howdah is a reproduction of the (in)famous Auto & Burglar pistol produced by Ithaca Company in the 1920s. That smooth-bored firearm was regulated into extinction by the National Firearms Act, but Howdah skirts those requirements with 1:48 right-hand twist rifled barrels. The Alaskan variant uses weather-resistant, hard-chromed metal components and rubber overmolded wood furniture.
SEE ALSO: A Street-Legal Shorty Double Barrel? The Pedersoli Howdah .45/.410 – Full Review
The dual-trigger pistol is furnished with a ramp front sight and folding rear leaf sight. It measures 17.25 inches in overall length and weighs about 4 pounds.
(Photo: Italian Firearms Group)
(Photo: Italian Firearms Group)
(Photo: Italian Firearms Group)
If I have any complaint its the hole in the back of the grip. I realize It has to be there to access the screw that attaches the grip but I wish there was a plug to fill it. That seems like something that should have been done on a $1400 gun. That being said I really like the gun.
A couple of posts suggest that it’s too expensive. Well, I have the 20 ga. BP percussion version and the whole point of it is owning & shooting a bit of history and just for a moment you can see the tiger leaping on the elephant . But, your pistol is at the ready to repel the beast. Saving your skin. Hey you play golf or spend thousands on a bass boat or maybe the extra HP version of your four wheeler. It’s gotten to the point that fun things are EXPENSIVE. Maybe the .45 wouldn’t be as much fun as shooting .614” lead balls.. For the price of the .45 howda I could almost buy a new windsurfing board. Then one needs sails, fins, mast and hundreds of dollars. $700 for a sail that only lasts for around 300 hours in the sun. “You pays your money and you take your chance”. Enjoy the freedom to enjoy life. Yes I’m retired, and on a budget like many of us too/
hello from Denver, co.!!! I must throw my 2 cents in for all who have been wondering about the howdah. man, it is the coolest and most fun gun I own. don’t pass up the chance to own a super gun. I have put nearly 2000 rds through mine and it shoots perfect. I am now in the market for the 2 new versions of the howdah. no kidding, best gun you’ll ever get and the most fun. david in Denver, co.
2000 rounds? That’s open/closed 1000 times assuming you load two at a time. That’s a LOT of shooting!
The concept of multi-cartridge hand cannons has already advanced past a break action “non-shotgun”.
Just get a judge and call it a day. At least you’ll be able to keep more ammo on tap.
I think I’ll stick with my .45 Colt 1873 instead. It cost 1/3 the price of this thing and holds more bullets.
Why do they even bother putting *any* twist in the rifling? The only reason there is a requirement for rifling is so that there is the possibility of ballistic identification. Even if the rifling was completely straight, it would do that.
So it is not considered a sawed off shotgun and because 45 LC is designed to be shot thru rifled barrels. Looks interesting but pricey for what it is.
@ NavyVet1959
Rifling without a twist isn’t rifling .
The reason for the rifling is not just to satisfy the rules of requiring rifling in any barrel below legal shotgun lengths.
The reason for the rifling is because this thing also shoots 45LC.
Truth is, it would shoot 45 LC much better if it didnt have to also shoot .410, because the rifling would be cut deeper.