Lancaster Howdah Pistols

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  • Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
  • Charles Lancaster was a master London gunsmith who made 2-barrel and 4-barrel pistols in a variety of British revolver cartridges (commonly known as Howdah pistols). Many of his pistols was purchased privately by British military officers, explorers, and big-game hunters to use as backup weapons throughout the Empire. These three examples are chambered for the .380, .476, and .577 centerfire cartridges, and are all excellent examples of Lancaster's work and the quality of Victorian-era British craftsmanship.
    www.forgottenweapons.com
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 999

  • @OldemarFIN
    @OldemarFIN 8 років тому +1717

    "The bores are smooth but yet they are also rifled."
    That sentence is like a Zen riddle for firearms enthusiasts.

    • @mrpogzminecraft3d850
      @mrpogzminecraft3d850 6 років тому +2

      +MMO-Grind3r yay howdah pistols !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

    • @ridanann
      @ridanann 5 років тому +9

      a cannon koan lol my granddad would love that

    • @daetslovactmandcarry6999
      @daetslovactmandcarry6999 5 років тому +2

      Very true. 😆😆😆😆

    • @valeripia5982
      @valeripia5982 4 роки тому

      0

    • @joelkelly169
      @joelkelly169 4 роки тому +2

      I got it but I already had heard of this style of rifling before. I can see where it might leave some scratching their heads at first though.

  • @AtholAnderson
    @AtholAnderson 9 років тому +828

    .577 Lancaster
    Because what any fine officer needs is a hand-held field gun.

    • @ejharbet6390
      @ejharbet6390 4 роки тому +51

      Because using more than 1 round is wasteful

    • @MrKmoconne
      @MrKmoconne 4 роки тому +12

      Sidney Poitier's character in the movie/western Buck and the Preacher(1972) carried a pair of these in the movie that he wore like six shooters, but they were depicted as scatter guns.

    • @ulvschmidt7174
      @ulvschmidt7174 4 роки тому +49

      Colt:.45 has plenty stopping power
      Lancaster: yeah but what if demons invade the earth or insurgency threatens the crown what then.

    • @nebufabu
      @nebufabu 4 роки тому +22

      I don't _call_ the artillery, I AM THE ARTILLERY. /Captain Straker, probably./

    • @dankbuds3102
      @dankbuds3102 4 роки тому +13

      Howda guns where designed for the guys riding on elephants to STOP a big cat

  • @imbored742
    @imbored742 9 років тому +811

    The third firing pin hole kinda makes sense when you think about the internal geometry of the firing pin. If the firing pin assembly has two firing pins on it at a 90° angle from each other you could get away with only rotating the assembly by 90° rather than a full 180°. To make this work however you would need somewhere for the unused firing pin to go when the hammer hits the striker assembly, hence the third hole. When the top barrel fires the firing pin for the bottom barrel comes out through the third hole, and vice versa when the bottom barrel fires.

    • @Jesses001
      @Jesses001 9 років тому +53

      Hey, I think you are correct. That 3rd firing is actually just the top and bottom one when not being used.

    • @wiillwill7676
      @wiillwill7676 9 років тому +17

      so instead of going around in a circle, it just goes up and down?

    • @imbored742
      @imbored742 9 років тому +32

      wiill will It would just rotate 90 degrees back and forth.

    • @wiillwill7676
      @wiillwill7676 9 років тому +17

      thats what I meant. If it went in a complete circle, then it would need a forth hole.

    • @Nave4x4
      @Nave4x4 9 років тому +6

      Makes sense! I reached the same conclusion...

  • @Point303Operator
    @Point303Operator 9 років тому +367

    That .577 is absolutely stunning! Beautiful piece of British History

    • @jdizzy01
      @jdizzy01 9 років тому +5

      I completely agree

    • @thelegate8636
      @thelegate8636 6 років тому +6

      Neil Mckay Well do I have a treat for you. They used to make Bulldog revolvers in .577. Imagine that as a carry piece.

    • @MauricioLuigui
      @MauricioLuigui 5 років тому

      Question? .577 is from Snider?

    • @ryanblair2514
      @ryanblair2514 4 роки тому +3

      One of the bad guys in the book "The Sixth Extinction", by James Rollins uses a .577 howdah pistol.

    • @fluentinshittalk916
      @fluentinshittalk916 4 роки тому +8

      Ya just a real shame they shit on that history and beat guns out of their culture.

  • @YeeMacghyee
    @YeeMacghyee 7 років тому +790

    We need some modern reproductions of these asap. Sure a derringer is nice, but these have a certain look to them that make them more desirable.

    • @stephenarling1667
      @stephenarling1667 5 років тому +50

      A two-tube model in 50BMG might be interesting.

    • @irpsicologiayeducaciongrup8251
      @irpsicologiayeducaciongrup8251 5 років тому +44

      @@stephenarling1667
      Too big.
      The good ol' .44 Magnum would be a better choice.
      And a .45 ACP version for the more limp-wristed.

    • @funnyvalentinedidnothingwrong
      @funnyvalentinedidnothingwrong 5 років тому +30

      @SUPRA For when you need to put a hole in everything in front of you for the next 100 meters, and aren't really planning on using your shooting hand ever again.

    • @thenthson
      @thenthson 5 років тому +27

      @@funnyvalentinedidnothingwrong .950 jdj. For when you don't mind deleting your wrist every time you fire.

    • @JohnDoe-nf7up
      @JohnDoe-nf7up 5 років тому +17

      There is the C.O.P 357

  • @Scott-gs1ep
    @Scott-gs1ep Рік тому +27

    The third hole is because the turning pin mechanism has two pins. It doesn't rotate all around, it turns clockwise then counterclockwise.

    • @Hibernicus1968
      @Hibernicus1968 13 днів тому +1

      Yep. It's pretty obvious that if there had only been a single firing pin, and the mechanism had to rotate it through 180 degrees, the trigger pull would have had to be longer and/or heavier. Using a two pin firing pin that only has to pivot 90 degrees made the trigger pull shorter, and perhaps even lighter.

  • @edwardchambers6759
    @edwardchambers6759 4 роки тому +32

    I had a friend who was an ACW re-enactor (in the UK). He was sold, at a gun show, what the vendor described as a wog musket because it appeared to be a smoothbore. He paid very little for it and did not tell the vendor that the makers name, Lancaster, meant it was a high end oval bore rifle worth a hell of a lot more than he paid. It was in .577 calibre.

    • @procrastinator41
      @procrastinator41 2 роки тому +2

      Would Like to see Ian do an episode with that gun.

  • @MrAdammack
    @MrAdammack 9 років тому +118

    Funnily enough, a fine cased, gilt plated, ivory handled Lancaster pistol featured in an episode of "The Antiques Roadshow" I watched yesterday. The resident firearms expert, Bill Harriman, declared it the finest firearm he had ever seen on the show. Value? £20,000.

    • @coaxill4059
      @coaxill4059 3 роки тому +4

      Is that high or low? Here in the US that's about the price for a civilian legal full auto AK47.

    • @The_Cooler_Nari
      @The_Cooler_Nari 3 роки тому +10

      @@coaxill4059 £20k is about $27k and that's a lot of money for a gun where most of what we get are double barrelled shotguns and .22 bolt actions. guns that expensive are (almost) always collector's items.

  • @ravenslaves
    @ravenslaves 9 років тому +218

    "3rd Battalion, the Prince of Wales'* Own (West
    Yorkshire . Regiment), Captain J. Straker is
    granted the honorary rank of Major. Dated
    16th March, 1901."
    It's so cool when you can find a weapon with some pesonal link.

    • @Akm72
      @Akm72 9 років тому +4

      Good find, I was thinking Welsh or Wessex Yeomanry or something.

    • @simonferrer
      @simonferrer 9 років тому +28

      I researched the Regiment a little and it seems likely that Captain Straker served in the Third Volunteer Battalion of the Regiment [the Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment only had two active regular battalions in this time period, but three Volunteer Battalions, which became Territorial Battalions after 1908], which sent its Service Company to the Second Boer War in 1900. This could be a present from the Battalion to Captain Straker either on his return home from or on his way to South Africa.

    • @ravenslaves
      @ravenslaves 9 років тому +22

      simonferrer I found another Capt. J. Straker of the 3rd West Indies Reg...in 1846. A relative maybe? I believe in 1846 comissions were still bought, which meant that the family must have had some money, and maybe there was a legacy involved?
      ...wow...all this from one pistol.

    • @simonferrer
      @simonferrer 5 років тому +4

      Conor Hanley On further thought you're probably right, unless it was an heirloom like the other gentleman suggested, perhaps passed down from a relative who had previously served in the same regiment? I'm thinking something not necessarily meant to be used, but more like a luck token ("your grandfather carried this pistol at Sevastopol, and he would've wanted you to have it," that sort of thing).

    • @mikekelly3903
      @mikekelly3903 4 роки тому +8

      From the London Gazette dated January 8, 1892:
      3rd Battalion, the Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) Captain J. Straker resigns the appointment of Instructor of Musketry. Dated 9th January, 1892.

  • @hairyneil
    @hairyneil 9 років тому +348

    1 New Bond St, London is now a Ralph Lauren shop. Kinda disappointing.

    • @PaulRudd1941
      @PaulRudd1941 5 років тому +42

      Awww man. That's how dead the firearms industry in the UK is.

    • @christianclark2763
      @christianclark2763 5 років тому +5

      I looked that up too haha

    • @daetslovactmandcarry6999
      @daetslovactmandcarry6999 5 років тому +13

      Ya, that gun ban really worked out well didn't it. 😤😤😤😤

    • @stykytte
      @stykytte 5 років тому +34

      It's okay, it's central London, hang around after dark you can still buy almost anything. Although if you want large scale orders, tanks or aircraft for murdering masses of civilians you can just ask our government and they will sell it to you no problems.

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому +1

      @@stykytte pretty much

  • @ChristianSextilis
    @ChristianSextilis 3 роки тому +67

    Been playing Battlefield 1 lately and these pistols caught my attention, so I had to look them up to see how they work haha
    And this is actually a really good video, super interesting to watch!

    • @botulismcasserole9832
      @botulismcasserole9832 2 роки тому +1

      So is the one your grandma made where she’s peeing in a mason jar and then poured it all over her old flaps.

  • @identifiesas65.wheresmyche95
    @identifiesas65.wheresmyche95 2 роки тому +6

    One of the most lovely pieces I've ever seen. The way the trigger and firing mechanism works in combination with the manual set trigger is just astonishing!

  • @olimursell8107
    @olimursell8107 9 років тому +10

    I am utterly amazed at the craftsmanship of guns about 100-114 years old! Absolutely incredible! They look cool, and are seemingly incredibly reliable weapons. I want one.

  • @kg_canuck
    @kg_canuck 3 роки тому +17

    There's something about guns like this that are just so cool to me. The extremely simple yet elegant and clever

  • @stshort500
    @stshort500 9 років тому +7

    The overall fit of these guns is phenomenal! A testament to the skill & attention to detail of Mr. Lancaster

  • @agentfranks1093
    @agentfranks1093 3 роки тому +84

    screw glocks we need to bring these beauty's back into vogue

    • @fritzdaddy-135mmgetstagger4
      @fritzdaddy-135mmgetstagger4 2 роки тому +1

      This and glocks don't compare to each other ..

    • @agentfranks1093
      @agentfranks1093 2 роки тому +6

      @@fritzdaddy-135mmgetstagger4 yeah its almost like they are completely different guns from different eras

    • @botulismcasserole9832
      @botulismcasserole9832 2 роки тому +1

      Are you wearing your dads woman’s panties again?

    • @botulismcasserole9832
      @botulismcasserole9832 2 роки тому +1

      Remove them from your facial area so you can breath fresh air, you can’t huff the family jenkum all day dude it’s impolite.

    • @floydvaughn9666
      @floydvaughn9666 2 роки тому +1

      Steampunk.

  • @geigertec5921
    @geigertec5921 4 роки тому +5

    These guns were used alot in the 19th century Colonial wars in African. One has a prominent role in the movie 'The Ghost and the Darkness' (1996), which is about some big game hunters in Africa in the 1890's. The large bore bullets of the gun had tremendous stopping power as they had enough force to pierce flesh but not enough to go all the way thorough - often resulting in shattered bones and lodged bullets.

  • @Ugleskjegg
    @Ugleskjegg 7 років тому +5

    just looking at that trigger design and function, the creativity and skills it took to just come up with it, and make it with the tools from back then is pretty darn impressive.

  • @Cascademenace
    @Cascademenace 9 років тому +380

    I say old chap can you make me an absurdly large pistol? There's a good man.

    • @sgtpepper3161
      @sgtpepper3161 5 років тому +22

      A safari pistol that found it's way into a few battlefields.
      Simple and devastating.
      Also a beautiful gun

    • @guardrailbiter
      @guardrailbiter 4 роки тому +2

      That's a gudgeon masquerading as a four-barrel pistol.

    • @johnfrancis2215
      @johnfrancis2215 2 роки тому

      Brit checking in here, if you think the 577 Lancaster pistol is a monster check out Thomas Bland's patent Slug throwing pistols. In the late 19th century we were fighting against the dervishes and some officers complained that they're issue revolvers were not powerful enough for an instant kill and quoted instances where although mortaly wounded the tribesman had managed to kill the officer in a few cases, I think the service revolver at the time was the .450 Adams, into the breach stepped the famous London gun maker Thomas Bland, the slug throwing pistols were double barreled side by side configuration and the bores were very large, a friend of mine owned one in 650 caliber an absolute monster, I believe that anybody struck by those projectiles would not get back up, best regards from South Yorkshire England

  • @ResurrectingLeviathan
    @ResurrectingLeviathan 3 роки тому +6

    I’ve seen most videos on this channel, this is my favorite forgotten weapon of them all so far. Genius engineering without over-engineering.

  • @troy9477
    @troy9477 7 років тому +5

    Before this, the only howdah pistols i had heard of were like sxs short pistol grip shotguns, mostly in the "bore" cartridges. Their main purpose was to shoot tigers off of your elephant when hunting. I guess tiger attacks were common. The "howdah" is the big basket affair atop the elephant, which carries the hunter and his assistants. Nice to see these as an alternative. Lots of interesting things were made in the late black powder era. Makes sense that officers would have used them, since they had to provide their own anyway. Great video as always. Now we see that the 4 barrel concept a la the COP is nothing new.

  • @slowpokebr549
    @slowpokebr549 9 років тому +4

    I had an old coffee table gun book with some of Lancaster's pistols in it. I always thought they were very interesting. Every time I have seen them in print, the oval bores were mentioned but the concept was never explained. Thank you for explaining the idea behind it.

  • @cincinnatiking8008
    @cincinnatiking8008 7 років тому +317

    Battlefield 1 brought me here. It's good that a game can spark interest in the actual history of the weapons used in the game. The game is a steam punk version of WW1. Were Howdah pistols used a lot in WW1 ?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  7 років тому +223

      No, they were basically not used at all in WWI.

    • @cincinnatiking8008
      @cincinnatiking8008 7 років тому +64

      Ok, thank you.

    • @ulisesguzman8574
      @ulisesguzman8574 7 років тому +42

      Forgotten Weapons the game says some officers used it as a sidedarm in ww1. do you happen to know how long was it before an oficer's sidearm was standarised and they could no longer choose what to take with them?

    • @letmeouttamycage
      @letmeouttamycage 7 років тому +25

      They were used by officers who wanted a bigger punch, or assault troopers who needed a quick draw finisher.

    • @cincinnatiking8008
      @cincinnatiking8008 7 років тому +6

      Yeah, you have to choose assault class to be able to use it.

  • @StPaul76
    @StPaul76 9 років тому +9

    Beautifully engineered and the fit and finish is remarkable. If it says "handmade in England" and produced in the late 19th century, it's pretty certainly a work of engineering art like these. The mechanics with the extractors and especially those squeeze and touch set triggers are amazing. Nice stuff!

  • @gonzalogutierrez510
    @gonzalogutierrez510 3 роки тому +9

    That trigger is indeed the coolest one I've ever seen

  • @Lunageldia
    @Lunageldia 7 років тому +35

    Someone may have thought of this before, but the third firing pin hole may actually just be for a set of two pins to allow it to only rotate a quarter turn instead of a full 180º around.

  • @luciansoc6709
    @luciansoc6709 5 років тому +2

    I think the last one is the most desirable of the bunch. Comes with case, accessories and a couple of rounds, that external extractor is really cool, and last but not least when you have strong recoil you'd like the barrels to be centered on the gun.

  • @georgesheffield1580
    @georgesheffield1580 Рік тому +2

    These built by top level skilled gunsmith from the royal gunmakers guild , best in the world at the time and possibly still the best .

  • @papabeanguy
    @papabeanguy 7 років тому +25

    that trigger is really cool, I have never seen anything like that

    • @_leyrd_.
      @_leyrd_. 7 років тому +5

      papabeanguy That was the main selling point for me too....not that I could afford to buy one!

  • @Spearfisher1970
    @Spearfisher1970 9 років тому +10

    Consider me incredibly impressed. I initially didn't think much of them from the distance shots, but eventually saw there was something ahead of its time going on from that largest one's grip. And it just got better and better from there.

  • @joshuahancock2079
    @joshuahancock2079 Рік тому +2

    So I think that the third firing pin hole is to allow the rotating striker mechanism to only have to make a quarter rotation instead of a half rotation each cycle. The striker has two pins, located 90 degree off from one another, and when cycled, it rotates a quarter turn down, and then it rotates a quarter turn up on the second cycle. So the third hole is to keep the second firing pin from wearing out against a plate, serving as an intermediary hole.

  • @jasonargone9777
    @jasonargone9777 8 років тому

    After watching quite a few of your videos on various subjects, I have to say...for someone so young, your a very good speaker on the subject. Concise, without glitches and lapses, always on target without prompts or notes. Probably the best 'teacher' about guns I have seen on the internet. Extremely well done. Thanks for your efforts Mr. Ian.
    Ok, back to me learning about ..forgotten guns.

  • @TheRealAmusableBman
    @TheRealAmusableBman 9 років тому +79

    I actually have a theory on what that extra firing pin hole on the .577 is for.
    There's two pins in that gun, instead of the one pin that the other examples use. The other models rotate the pin 90 degrees with each trigger pull, which works perfectly for the 4-barrel variety. 90*4 = 360. The two-barrel version, if it was using the single firing pin, would either have to rotate the pin 180 degrees with each trigger pull, or make the pin move straight up and down, which may have required a fairly substantial reworking of the internals.
    Instead of that, it uses two pins placed 90 degrees from eachother, so that the mechanism only has to rotate 90 degrees with each pull. The two pins seem to be moving in tandem with eachother, which suggests to me that they are linked. Since there's two pins operated with each pull of the trigger, the first pin would go through the hole, but the second one would impact on the inside face of the gun, keeping the first one from hitting the cartridge. In order to allow the pins to move far enough, a second hole was needed for the other firing pin. With that hole in place, the two firing pins move forward fully, with one impacting the cartridge, and the other impacting harmlessly on the solid part of the barrel assembly (if that's the right term for it)

    • @realhorrorshow8547
      @realhorrorshow8547 9 років тому +6

      +TheRealAmusableBman I think you're right.

    • @smokeydops
      @smokeydops 9 років тому +6

      +TheRealAmusableBman that's actually pretty genius

    • @Reivehn
      @Reivehn 8 років тому +3

      +TheRealAmusableBman Bravo! That's what i was thinking. I thought the same thing! xD

    • @Papercut337
      @Papercut337 8 років тому +2

      +TheRealAmusableBman Exactly what I was thinking

    • @frankdn109
      @frankdn109 8 років тому

      +TheRealAmusableBman I suppose that after firing the upper barrel, the firing pin assembly rotates 90 deg. to fire the lower barrel, and then the mechanism is reset when the pistol is opened to reload... after which the upper barrel again fires first.

  • @MichaelRainey
    @MichaelRainey 5 років тому +5

    “This one is in 577 caliber.“ Mother of God, it's so beautiful.

  • @Matt61702
    @Matt61702 9 років тому

    Ian, I am glad you chose to feature these pistols as I had never heard of them until your video. I am very impressed by the apparent craftsmanship!

  • @AdventureBrad
    @AdventureBrad 3 роки тому

    Wow what incredibly smooth and elegant works of art. Have to agree with you on the .476 being my favorite too and that double set trigger would make the motions of firing so much more enjoyable. Thanks for all your work!

  • @ravenslaves
    @ravenslaves 9 років тому +42

    Thank you so much for showing these great examples of Victorian firepower.
    Imagine the stopping power of a .577 with no gas leak. Supposedly, these were favored by tiger hunters for those times when the tiger might attack the elephant the hunters were riding on.
    ...and how would you like to do a two gun challenge with one of these and a Martini-Henry?

    • @TheTyrial86
      @TheTyrial86 9 років тому +9

      God can you imagine the cost of the ammo... after they did it I would like to have the total cost presented. I get shudders just thinking about it.

    • @demoncleaner80
      @demoncleaner80 9 років тому +2

      I think there is one of these in "The Ghost and the Darkness", one of my favorite movies. So it definitely makes sense for lion hunting, lol

    • @marvindebot3264
      @marvindebot3264 4 роки тому

      @@demoncleaner80 Oh yeah! I remember now and yes that was a fine film. A friend has a pair of rottweilers named after the "stars".

    • @jagx234
      @jagx234 4 роки тому +2

      Howdah - the basket on an elephant's back that carries people.
      Yep, it's in the name :)

  • @pentuplemintgum666
    @pentuplemintgum666 9 років тому +6

    13:12 It's oddly satisfying how all the screws in the box are lined up.

    • @trickshot646
      @trickshot646 4 роки тому +1

      Finest English craftsmanship old boy.

  • @GdaySport
    @GdaySport 4 роки тому

    What a fabulous find, and great example of an ingenious gunmakers' produce! Bravo, and thanks for sharing.

  • @Tsniper2009
    @Tsniper2009 9 років тому +2

    Love all the remarkable weapons that come out of this time era, it was certainly a period of innovation and learning in regards especially to firearms.

    • @Poleson
      @Poleson 4 роки тому

      I think the period between the US civil war and WW1 was arguably the greatest era of firearm development we have seen and are likely to see. Unless another J. M. Browning turns up.

  • @elektro3000
    @elektro3000 9 років тому +11

    OH MY GOD THE HAIR! Ian you look like a Viking! Anyway, this is a great example of Forgotten Weapons teaching me about a forgotten corner of history I was never aware of. I'd heard of howdah pistols before, but I had only heard of exposed hammer cap and ball pistols with single or double barrels in very large calibers. I had no idea they were available in centerfire and up to four barrels, or that they were used as military sidearms instead of just hunting sidearms.

  • @bkingk8
    @bkingk8 7 років тому +27

    The .577 went for over 20k damn

  • @t.carpenter2886
    @t.carpenter2886 4 роки тому +1

    Amazing! Clean machine work. Looks solid af. I especially like the sharpness of the auto-extractor. Look how flush it is when it returns. Set trigger is a cool feature too.

  • @Boreasrex11
    @Boreasrex11 7 років тому +1

    I have watched this video multiple times since it went up. These guns are just so cool.

  • @MrS22222
    @MrS22222 7 років тому +14

    That second firing pin on the last gun, the .577; it's an extra locking pin for the breach when you pull the trigger. I bet he designed it that way for a seperate patent claim considering the 'variable rate oval rifling' on the other model.

    • @jakerichard3688
      @jakerichard3688 7 років тому +40

      Im fairly confident the third hole on the breech is so the "firing pins" only have to rotate 90 degrees instead on 180. the extra hole allows the firing pin not being used a place to go.

    • @PaltryPete
      @PaltryPete 7 років тому +1

      jake richard I was thinking sort of the same. Cool concept

    • @MrS22222
      @MrS22222 7 років тому +1

      jake richard good call, I bet he tried to patent it too. Along with whatever he stepped in that day.

    • @Colonel_Overkill
      @Colonel_Overkill 7 років тому

      jake richard you are likely correct. I suspect that either your reasoning, or to keep wear on the firing pin to a minimum by having a separate pin per barrel. Even with the large caliber though, I suspect wear would be minimal.

  • @upgradesky56
    @upgradesky56 7 років тому +39

    good god i want one of these

  • @Aliyah_666
    @Aliyah_666 3 роки тому

    Fine pieces of history for certain, and the extractor dropping back down sounds as smooth as new.

  • @alun7006
    @alun7006 3 роки тому +1

    I've come back to this video several times since I first watched it several years ago. These things are just awesome. I will have one one day, even if I have to make it myself!

  • @mikebrenfrenette7228
    @mikebrenfrenette7228 9 років тому +4

    The video on the Lancaster pistols was very interesting and the pistol look really nice

    • @ronwallace6273
      @ronwallace6273 5 років тому

      very nice guns , I'm not a hunter just collect black powder guns , very nice

  • @DFX2KX
    @DFX2KX 9 років тому +7

    I know what that extra pin hole is for! The gun has two firing pins, and it rotates 90 degrees back and forth to fire both barrels, that means that either the top pin (when firing the bottom) or the bottom (when firing the top) would be off to the side. Otherwise, you'd have to use one firing pin, that rotated a whole 180 degrees, which might have been wider. I suspect he did this so as to allow himself to use a similar mechanism as the four barrel models. I could be completely wrong, but just looking at the problem of getting two big barrels to fire, that's how I would have done it.

    • @DFX2KX
      @DFX2KX 9 років тому +2

      *****
      It's not too hard to make something that toggles back and forth, it's just easier to make that toggle 90 degrees and not a full 180. It's vuagely similar to what's done in some over-under shotguns and two-barreled derringers.

    • @DLiu-ff1zx
      @DLiu-ff1zx 9 років тому

      Exactly. At 12:14 you can see both firing pins retract and begin to rotate back to the lower firing position.

  • @joe57788
    @joe57788 9 років тому

    Beautiful workmanship. Please share more of these weapons with us. Thank you !

  • @bami2
    @bami2 9 років тому

    You really did a great job in trying to get the proofmarks/writing eligible on video. Everything was very readable!

  • @YCCCm7
    @YCCCm7 9 років тому +11

    I'd think just by looking at it that the 3 pin arrangement on the double barreled model is for reduction of mechanical energy needed. If the design just used top and bottom 2 holes, it'd have to make a 180 degree rotation per pull, whereas the 3 holed system only needs a 90 degree rotation for back and forth. Seeing how the 4 barreled models sport 90 degree rotation as well, it may be an attempt to stick to a more similar or minimalist design as the 4 barreled units as far as rotation needed to cycle.

    • @9a21x
      @9a21x 9 років тому

      My thoughts exactly.

    • @DFX2KX
      @DFX2KX 9 років тому

      I just wrote the same thing, then noticed your comment. Yeah, that's also my thoughts.

  • @pericodelospalotes5738
    @pericodelospalotes5738 9 років тому +4

    Those huge and powerful pistols were used as back up for tiger hunters once unloaded their rifles

  • @fredford7642
    @fredford7642 2 роки тому

    Great review! I have been a .gun collector, student, fancier all my life and only dreamed of ever seeing the Lancaster pistols. They were well built and gave the holder a great feeling of confidence.
    Thank you for this geat review.

  • @Astandane
    @Astandane 5 років тому +1

    Beautiful pieces, true workmanship and creativity :)

  • @hawks1ish
    @hawks1ish 9 років тому +51

    These are called Howdah pistols I assume that means you shoot them while hunting from a howdah on an elephant's back?

    • @zazen2004
      @zazen2004 8 років тому +7

      The reproduction Howdah i have is .577 (in which i use .58 miniball or .575 patched roundball), 25-30gr FFg black powder*, made by Pedersoli in Italy. It is the SxS rifled version of which there are several variations - 2 x 20ga smooth, .50 x 20ga, .50 x .50, etc. Sadly, the "engraving," though detailed, looks to be rolled. It is also nicely checkered.
      The packaging also contains an almost identical "howdah and tiger" origin story.
      Oddly, one of the first videos i watched on YT was of a field of shoulder high grass in India, a driver on an elephant, and a tiger just launching from cover onto both ! ! ! The driver was armed with nothing but a stick yet managed to beat the tiger off with only minor lacerations - absolutely incredible.
      *this would be a target practice load; it's capable of twice that. There's also a removable shoulder stock that adds lots to accuracy and recoil management.

    • @jameshay7247
      @jameshay7247 8 років тому +22

      You might feel differently if you had a family member eaten by one. Man-killers were commonplace in India.

    • @chemistryofquestionablequa6252
      @chemistryofquestionablequa6252 5 років тому +6

      @@zazen2004 wow! I would not want to have to beat off a tiger with a stick! It sounds terribly uncomfortable for him and he might get cranky.

    • @visionist7
      @visionist7 5 років тому +2

      Elephants were used to transport British elites too I think? Having a holstered Howdah would be essential even if not hunting

    • @richardsolberg4047
      @richardsolberg4047 4 роки тому +2

      @Pierre LeDouche The size , many of those pistols were in some big cartridges , 2 barrels were enough weight .. 12 bore pistol with 4 barrels , just beat the Tiger to death with it ..

  • @RedXlV
    @RedXlV 9 років тому +16

    What's under the thin triangular plate on the right side of that .577 pistol's case?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  9 років тому +26

      Just the key to the case - not sure what was originally supposed to fit there.

  • @cr3237
    @cr3237 10 місяців тому

    Thank you for showing these. I am reading a historical novel in which someone is using a 4 barrelled pistol. I had trouble imaging how it looks and works, so your video has helped. Thank you.

  • @samhill5246
    @samhill5246 4 роки тому

    wow those guns are nice, it's so awesome you got to turn something you love into something we all enjoy, thanks Ian,

  • @smokeydops
    @smokeydops 9 років тому +5

    I think this is a great idea for a simple, reliable weapon. I'm kind of sad this idea didn't make it too far into modern guns. I'd totally get one.

  • @alynicholls3230
    @alynicholls3230 8 років тому +24

    WYR, stands for west yorkshire rifles, just for future reference.

  • @zeening
    @zeening 2 роки тому

    thats insane how perfect condition the inside and mechanics of that first gun especially like 300 years later, looks absolutely brand new, moves as smooth as butter thats unbelievable quality& craftsmanship

  • @AFpaleoCon
    @AFpaleoCon 9 років тому

    I've never seen these. These are awesome. Especially that trigger mechanism and the ejector.

  • @Vecorix
    @Vecorix 7 років тому +22

    Nice to see that DICE 100% represented the customization of these weapons in Battlefield 1 (You can only change the zoom, which isn't even possible with iton sights)

    • @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906
      @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906 7 років тому +5

      this is best used as a fast TTK side arm in BF1 sort of like a primary instead of a pistol finisher.
      Its best used for one kill or two it can be spammed fast and has great hip fire so its use is to take people out faster then your primary

    • @Vecorix
      @Vecorix 7 років тому

      deb schmit I know, but why not let us customize how many barrels there are and stuff

    • @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906
      @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906 7 років тому

      _ Rodos _ well it already has faster TTK then automatico it can only be beaten by shotgun 1 frame.
      Your right and there is a version with more barrels.
      but with this gun only balance i can see from less barrels is faster reload and it would have to be significant considering 2 shots eliminates it from effective hipfire and also means it cant kill past 10M or so.
      You have to remember that this gun is already a variant of the bulldog, the bulldog is a long reload six barrel howdah.
      Bulldog niche is nearly ensuring you win every 1V1 as you can spam hipfire and should take enemy out, its more forgiving then howdah.
      Obviously bulldog isnt suited for actual aggressive play and is better paired with a less aggressive playstyle.
      The howdah is best of both worlds, it lets you have fastest bullet TTK whilst reloading fast enough it can be used aggressively.
      In my example i said use it with heilregal as you wont be needing to pistol switch much so instead use it when your about to get rushed by automatico so you never have achance of getting outgunned from TTK.
      WIthin 10M or clutch moment >Howdah
      after that range heilregal.

    • @Vecorix
      @Vecorix 7 років тому

      deb schmit I'm not concerned with balance as much, If you can, why not? The Kolibri has almost no use but it's a standalone weapon in the game.

    • @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906
      @gunjyguylyricshiphop3906 7 років тому

      _ Rodos _ its a troll weapon the kolibri same with LV10 medic gun and arguably LV 10 support gun.
      You cant give Howdaw more barrels unless you cut the 2 hit kill range dramatically.
      As much as i currently dislike BF1 it has some great class balance or rather variety thats useful compared to BF4.
      The G18 in BF1 was the only gun worth using as sidearm because they nerfed the OHK of the magnum, so instead of a mix of sidearms being used there is only one.
      I personally dont care about realisim, i am q huge BF fan but dont care for realisim and as you said "why not".
      Think about this, if you gave howdaw an extra 2 shots or halved its reload time it would be insanely OP because no reason to use any other handgun.
      More barrels and way bigger hip fire is balanceable since it would be ess useful at its role.
      Balance is important, look how hardcore is broken in BF4, the scar H and bulldog are the only guns anyone should use.

  • @gundog39
    @gundog39 7 років тому +20

    Just out of curiosity have you ever had a go at bidding in any of the auctions at RIA or James D. Julia ?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  7 років тому +39

      Yes, both.

    • @gundog39
      @gundog39 7 років тому +5

      did you ever win any of them ?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  7 років тому +45

      Yes, I have won items at both places.

    • @gundog39
      @gundog39 7 років тому +11

      Forgotten Weapons What kind of guns did you get, anything interesting ?

    • @LoneWolf051
      @LoneWolf051 7 років тому +3

      what have you won?

  • @awmperry
    @awmperry 2 роки тому

    There’s something really appealing about those. It’s that combination of lovely workmanship and entirely practical, no-nonsense design.

  • @tech6263
    @tech6263 4 роки тому

    Always interesting. Always educational. Thank you Ian. We have all benefited from your passion for firearms. Karl’s pretty cool too😜

  • @TheTyrial86
    @TheTyrial86 9 років тому +4

    I am not going to lie, it is really awesome that Rock Island lets you come and record these. And these pistols are sweet to look at. I would like to know more about the oval barrels.

  • @USAFVet-ok1xk
    @USAFVet-ok1xk 5 років тому +12

    I have a question, Howdah heck were These never adopted by the British armed forces?

    • @pamtnman1515
      @pamtnman1515 3 роки тому +2

      The British did adopt the Lancaster oval bore rifled cannons, which were considered a state secret for several years.

    • @epauletshark3793
      @epauletshark3793 3 роки тому +1

      Better question. Howdah heck do I get one.

  • @abrahamvargas8522
    @abrahamvargas8522 Рік тому

    Ian, please bring this intro music back. It brings so many memories from when I first started watching you way back in the day.

  • @brianzander7042
    @brianzander7042 7 років тому

    Hello Ian, I believe the third firing pin hole is there to allow the two firing pins to travel in unison. As appears to be the case @ 12:13 in the video, the firing pins are rotated back and forth through 90 degrees of motion and so the non-firing pin is allowed to travel unimpeded through the third hole in the breech block and into the relief on the breech face while the active firing pin is aligned with its respective barrel.

  • @wafflebannana
    @wafflebannana 9 років тому +11

    Awww yeah, Ian! RIA Time again? :D Now I'm excited

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  9 років тому +27

      Yep, I've got a bunch more coming between now and the weekend of the 6th!

    • @JackAcix
      @JackAcix 9 років тому +2

      Forgotten Weapons Love your videos! TV show worthy

  • @dposcuro
    @dposcuro 9 років тому +8

    First: I think the intent of the third firing pin hole on the 2 Barrel .577, is that he could use a 2 pin plate, that only has to rotate 45 degrees, vs rotating 90 degrees. If it was 90 degrees of travel, the trigger would have to have an exceptionally heavy pull for the mechanical advantage, or it would have an unusably long pull.
    Second: If any viewers buy one of these, could you....possibly furnish Ian with it for a test period, that may include a 2 gun action match? Please? :D

  • @_leyrd_.
    @_leyrd_. 7 років тому

    Charles Lancaster was obviously an extremely talented individual. The guns on display here are sheer poetry in motion.

  • @1977ajax
    @1977ajax 4 місяці тому

    Wonderful series. Very informative.

  • @steves4914
    @steves4914 7 років тому +169

    10:45 'Is that sexual assault'?!?!?!?!?

  • @ArthurMorgan-xg5fj
    @ArthurMorgan-xg5fj 3 роки тому +3

    Wait... Howdyah shoot it?

  • @jamesbfaber7770
    @jamesbfaber7770 4 роки тому

    I find your videos fascinating and really appreciate your sharing weapons that I would probably never see otherwise. I do have one suggestion however; as a novice, it would be very helpful to me if you would show the cartridges along with something modern for comparison. Keep up the good work!

  • @TheMiseriaCantare
    @TheMiseriaCantare 9 років тому +1

    The very last one looks so badass. I like the old-style grip.

  • @sonata6536
    @sonata6536 7 років тому +6

    Howdah hell did you get these guns?

    • @rart6990
      @rart6990 7 років тому

      AsianUniBadger my god

    • @Alejo9021
      @Alejo9021 7 років тому

      AsianUniBadger stop

    • @alimomennasab108
      @alimomennasab108 7 років тому

      AsianUniBadger don't ever stop lol

    • @istyl2525
      @istyl2525 7 років тому +1

      Three Germans went to a BAR...

  • @ianbabcock6802
    @ianbabcock6802 7 років тому +4

    I think the two barreled pistol is more for target shooting rather than combat.

    • @kevinsullivan3448
      @kevinsullivan3448 7 років тому +6

      The .577 is just the thing you need to defend yourself from Tigers while serving in India.

    • @crazyfvck
      @crazyfvck 7 років тому +5

      +Kevin Sullivan ^^^ What he said. This is a defensive handgun, for 2-legged and 4-legged attackers. Most target shooting pistols of this time period seem to be of the underpowered "parlor" type.. Guns that you would actually shoot inside your home with friends.

    • @ianbabcock6802
      @ianbabcock6802 7 років тому

      crazyfvck I stand corrected.

    • @kevinsullivan3448
      @kevinsullivan3448 7 років тому +4

      For a little historical 'backgground.' A Howdah is the platform on the back of an elephant where the rich people ride. Poor people walk and carry the rich guys stuff.
      If you were attacked by a tiger you needed something a little easier to use than a rifle the size of a cannon. Check out Ian's video on the 4-bore rifles.

  • @drmaudio
    @drmaudio 9 років тому +1

    Man, that is gorgeous patina on the barrels of the .476.

  • @stuforty2
    @stuforty2 7 років тому

    looks amazingly well made

  • @brianparker8161
    @brianparker8161 8 років тому +4

    Someone should Repro a bunch of these in 44 Russian or 44 Special.

  • @letmeouttamycage
    @letmeouttamycage 8 років тому +4

    I wonder if anyone ever shot one from a lancaster bomber

  • @psiko145
    @psiko145 8 років тому +2

    hello ian, i ust wanted to let you know that since i encountered your videos, i grew more and more interested in old firearms (i have never even held an actual pistol in my hands, so that probably tells you how interested i was in firearms before) and i really respect and like what you are doing. thank you for giving me a new topic to be amazed about. i can't help but ask though, how come you are SO knowledged in firearms?

  • @keeperofthecheese
    @keeperofthecheese 4 роки тому +5

    "I feel like I need a tiny shotgun"
    Britain: "order up! "

  • @Arthurzeiro
    @Arthurzeiro 9 років тому +3

    That .577 one is the literal meaning of hand cannon.

  • @Ratrazor
    @Ratrazor 3 роки тому

    Yeah those are really cool guns also, and that 577 coming with two rounds that are still on fire it is really awesome because then you can match up and make some modern equivalent of that round to shoot today.

  • @alchothestranger370
    @alchothestranger370 8 років тому

    i feel I'm the only person taking note of this, but with my intellectual brain (not really) and my sharp wits (not really) i have deduced that you are not a guns enthusiast
    you are a viking! look at him! hair, beard,intellect...dudes a viking!
    but on a serious note. thank you so much for making this channel and making the content you do. i wish i could do what you do as i love firearms and i love history and the items people make through time and the significance they have.
    its amazing to see all of these firearms and accessories used to make things possible and i hope you continue doing this for year to come.
    thank you again

  • @thomasembleton1467
    @thomasembleton1467 9 років тому +4

    Ian 2 gun action match 577 howdah and a martini Henry or a 405 Winchester it would be epic and probably impossible but a man can dream

  • @joshdavies9055
    @joshdavies9055 7 років тому +3

    Its a shame they were never chambered in birdshot or .410.

    • @alexmoore1506
      @alexmoore1506 7 років тому +1

      Josh Davies .410 wouldn't be a bad idea if someone was able to do a modern reproduction

    • @mikedonitt6727
      @mikedonitt6727 6 років тому

      pedrosili or how ever u spell it does a 410 howdah

    • @moparstevo
      @moparstevo 6 років тому

      Look up Hickock45's howdah video.

    • @stevegable2707
      @stevegable2707 5 років тому

      they are now

  • @dwamc
    @dwamc 7 років тому +2

    I am not sure if any one has made comment but FYI Cap't J Straker was instructor of musketry 1892 with the 3rd battalion West Yorkshire Reg't.

  • @PaltryPete
    @PaltryPete 7 років тому

    This video is great. Some really cool guns!

  • @tommygun7127
    @tommygun7127 6 років тому +5

    The favorite weapon of Danielle Bregoli ¡Cash me outside howdah!

  • @Sam-jx7xi
    @Sam-jx7xi 7 років тому +58

    BATTLEFIELD 1

    • @1pruut1
      @1pruut1 7 років тому +1

      haha, i got the yellow skin to howdah pistol

    • @Vecorix
      @Vecorix 7 років тому

      Frog Fishing Same!

    • @taistelusammakko5088
      @taistelusammakko5088 7 років тому +1

      ...is a steampunk game

    • @andreizedlav7303
      @andreizedlav7303 7 років тому +2

      +Hei senberg Not steam punk, but more of someone's really exaggerated, action film directed by Michael Bay, WWI fan fiction.

  • @liopoldrrr
    @liopoldrrr 7 років тому

    I think that the extra whole is for making way for the pin that is not firing due to the fact that they are striking in the same time. I really enjoyed the video.

  • @doorknob3937
    @doorknob3937 4 роки тому

    wow i love these pieces so much

  • @kosta8152
    @kosta8152 7 років тому +10

    #Battlefield1