If you want to talk about odd and interesting, it’s hard to beat the Taylor & Co. Howdah pistol. Howdah pistols were British guns brought to Africa and India in the 19th century. These were large-bore, multiple-barreled pistols designed to kill attacking tigers and similar large game at close range.
If something charged you from the brush, you level your Howdah and try to lay it out. I don’t have any tigers to deal with, but the Howdah appeals to me. The Howdah chambers .410 and .45 Colt, and reminds me of an Ithaca Auto and Burglar
A Modern Take on the Auto & Burglar
The Taylor & Co. Howdah is essentially a high-quality reproduction of the Ithaca Auto & Burglar model from the 1920s. Because the 10.25-inch barrels are rifled and the gun chambers .45 Colt, this escapes NFA classification. Without the rifling, it would be an AOW, but since it’s rifled, the gun is a standard pistol. It’s a side-by-side break-action that handles like a sawed-off shotgun and can fire up to 3-inch .410 shells.
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At SHOT Show 2026, Taylor & Co. showcased three main variants of this beast:
- The Alaskan: A rugged, matte chrome version with a rubberized walnut stock designed to be fairly practical.
- The Vintage: A classic case-hardened steel frame with browned octagonal barrels and external hammers for that classic look and feel.
- The Deluxe: A refined version featuring beautiful engravings on a coin-finished receiver and polished walnut wood.
Double the Trouble
The Howdah features double triggers, which is a total vibe. Two triggers mean you can fire both at one time and throw two rounds at once. If you choose to do that, you’d best hold onto the gun. The front trigger fires the right barrel, and the rear trigger fires the left.
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The sighting system is surprisingly decent for a gun of this type. You get a brass bead front sight and a folding V-notch rear sight. While it’s not meant for precision long-range work, it’s more than enough for having some fun at the range. Let’s be clear, this is where this thing is going to be used. It’s a range toy.
The Hefty Howdah
At roughly 4.2 pounds, the Howdah has enough heft to tame the recoil of even the hottest .45 Colt loads or 3-inch .410 defensive shells. The walnut grip is shaped like an old wood saw handle with a large spur at the top, which helps fill the hand and provides a stable platform for firing the powerful rounds it chambers.
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The action on these guns was stiff at the show, but will probably loosen up over time. The triggers were quite crisp, and the odd-looking grip isn’t as awkward as it looks. I’m sure they’d be a total blast to shoot.
A Legacy Piece
The Taylor & Co. Howdah isn’t a high-capacity wonder-nine, and it’s not trying to be. It’s a heavy-duty, two-shot fun gun that bridges the gap between a historical collectible and a legitimate work of art. With prices ranging from $1,700 to $2,100, depending on the trim, it’s an investment. That’s tough for me to come off for a fun gun, but damn is it tempting.
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