Double percussion pistol

[Ted Kramer]

I hope I posted this in the right spot.

We had Christmas dinner today with a family friend who brought this old pistol along to show me. He said it was given to him when he bought a house from a man near Mora, MN. The man told him the pistol went with the house. This was in 1972. I am not knowledgeable about antique pistols, assuming this is  an antique, so I was hoping those of you who know about such things might be able to tell where it may have been made and possibly by whom, and about when. He has no thoughts of ever trying to fire it, he’s just wondering what he has here and if it has any value.

There are no visible markings on it. Bores are rusted and around .58 smoothbore. The right nipple is broken and the lock functions. Left lock seems frozen, I didn’t want to force it so don’t know if it will function if freed up. Left nipple is broken also. The rear screw slot on the left lock is broken out so the screw doesn’t hold the plate into the wood. Maybe the pistol was dropped on the left hammer thus wrecking the lock and busting the rear away from the screw?? I wasn’t expecting to see an old pistol so didn’t have any decent screwdrivers with me to take the locks out. There might be some markings or a name inside the locks. Nor did I try to push the key out to un-hook the barrels. Might be markings on the underside of the barrels. Ramrod is stuck tight. The barrels show a nice twist pattern with no dents.

The inletting is very tight and the checkering and engraving doesn’t show much wear. If I get the chance someday, I’ll see if the owner will let me take the barrels and locks out.

So, I would appreciate any comments, insight, expert opinions, etc. to pass along to the pistols owner.

Thanks,
Ted K

[Enfieldguy]

Looks like a 'Howda' pistol.

[Pukka Bundook]

It looks nearly for sure Belgian, with Bernard twist barrels, Ted.

[Ted Kramer]

I never thought about it possibly being a Howdah pistol, glad you mentioned it Enfieldguy. Surely could have been made in Belgium too Pukka B. I found some pictures online of original Howdah pistols and a couple of them were almost identical to this one. Thanks guys.
TedK

[Robby]

Is the cap on the butt cap removable? It has a pinched look to it for unscrewing, or maybe after both barrels are exhausted it would put a dandy dent in someones head.
Robby

[Ted Kramer]

Robby,
Thanks for bringing that up, I forgot to mention it in the original post. I believe it is removable. I tried to turn it with my fingers but it’s stuck tight and I don’t think the owner would have liked me clamping my multi-tool pliers on it so we can just speculate for now. Sure would make a nasty wound as a club tho.
TedK

[Bob Roller]

I would like to see what kind of locks it has. I know they are back action but I would like to see the mechanism if possible. It could be a "Howdy" pistol.Someone is breaking into your house or car and you point this old cannon at them and say "HOWDY" .
Bob Roller

[Ted Kramer]

Yes, having that muzzle in your face would be intimidating for sure. It might be a while before I see the pistol again but when I do, I’ll see if I can get pictures of the insides of the locks.
Ted