Hello All
I have recently acquired a .577 Howdah pistol. It is inscribed, J. Aston, Hythe. A handsome hand cannon which I am planning to shoot once the weather warms up. Does anyone have any additional information regarding James Aston other than what is listed in the historical database ?
Thanking you in advance,
Paul
Howdah pistol
Re: Howdah pistol
I wonder why Aston made or had Hollis make a .577 howdah pistol? Not many tigers in Hove, perhaps it was made to test penetration, perhaps with a conical bullet?
Re: Howdah pistol
John
I have reconfigured twenty five .577 Kynoch brass cartridges for use in the Howdah., based on the existing chambers of 48.59 mm. I have cut down these cases down to that size and "installed" no. 172 Berdan primers. I plan to use a .577 conical ball with 45 grns of black powder.
We shall see. Touch wood.
As to why Aston did this, well your guess is as good as mine. The only reason that I can come up with, is that a client specifically asked to chamber the Howdah in .577 Snider, which would allow him to use the same shells as in his .577 double rifle. No fumbling around when that tiger was fast approaching up the trunk of that tusker.
Paul
I have reconfigured twenty five .577 Kynoch brass cartridges for use in the Howdah., based on the existing chambers of 48.59 mm. I have cut down these cases down to that size and "installed" no. 172 Berdan primers. I plan to use a .577 conical ball with 45 grns of black powder.
We shall see. Touch wood.
As to why Aston did this, well your guess is as good as mine. The only reason that I can come up with, is that a client specifically asked to chamber the Howdah in .577 Snider, which would allow him to use the same shells as in his .577 double rifle. No fumbling around when that tiger was fast approaching up the trunk of that tusker.
Paul
Re: Howdah pistol
I’m sure you know what you are doing but just in case – is your will up to date?