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[Annie Oakley]

Well I have done all the homework in identifying this piece. (Thank you Warren from the Cody Museum)
This is an Early English double barrel cartridge gun; signed E. Bond, with a walnut grip, with elaborate engravings, signed and stamped; London, S. Britt. This piece was modified from it's original configuration from a flintock, in order to beable to carry in his boot; Age early to mid 1800's. This piece is in excellent condition, and I have been advised that this piece should be in the hands of a musuem or historical society, but that it would have an even higher value going back to London. E. Bond was a well known gun maker of London, and as I stated this piece is signed and stamped with symbols, crossed swords, and crowns, and is in EXCELLENT condition.
I am looking for any help and suggestions on value, selling, auctions, and historical collectors, or a UK dealer. Think maybe it's time this goes home.

[Highflyer]

I'd give one of the big New York auction houses (such as Christies) a call and they could give you immediate contacts in the U.K.. Or, you can always try Loyd's of London (the insurance company) and I guarantee they would have a list of auction houses and dealers. Frame your request around the fact that you want to send an English artifact back home and they should be willing to help.

[Annie Oakley]

:thumbsup1: Never gave that a thought, but have contacted Sotheby's of London, and haven't heard back. Ty for your input.

[Bushbuck]

The barrel looks like it is less than 18" to me.....If so you may not want to get caught driving around with that gun or you may be up for another firearm charge..

[Annie Oakley]

:D Your too funny! You heard about my day in court? They reduced it too a $50.00 fine, but I went for the dismisal. Well in regards to the piece, I have since learned it falls in line with a "howdah pistol", which was later adoptded by the military for military purposes. Yeah, it has been classified as an "historical curiosa". We are still trying to get the age of it, it appears to be around 1855-1875, because of the Birmingham stamp, and "Not for Ball" stamp. This has led me on such a journey that is fabulous. The education I am getting on history alone. It's like walking through time. But apparently in India, lion use to attack the person sitting in the howdah, so they needed something effective at close range, so the "howdah pistol " was developed, then later used by the military, this apparently was modified for that purpose. What I also find interesting is the conflict going on among so called "experts". I have had some tell me throw it away, and others tell me this needs to be in a museum. I am waiting to hear from the UK as we speak. I will keep you posted. :o

[Bushbuck]

This does not look like a Howda to me. This looks like a poorly modified s/s hammer gun. The English stock was visibly cut off and the forearm is not a design that would accept a ramrod as the smoke poles would have. This is not a cap gun or a flintlock, it is a hammer gun which can accept modern ammunition. The barrels have been sawed off.
The laws are pretty clear about length of a barrel on a shotgun. Just owning an illegal firearm can be be worth 10 years. Even antiques at times need special permits and must be sold by FFL dealers that have a type III license. I am not sure if attempting to solicit a sale out of the country would add additional charges.
I am surprised you have come on the internet admitting to breaking the law with a loaded handgun in your car, and now say you have a questionable handgun that you want to send" back home" overseas.
I also found this photo elsewhere, it may be a copy or maybe this is not a photo you have taken.
I have hunted Lion in Africa, the US and south America. I didnt know they were a problem in India.

[Annie Oakley]

I have had this "Classified" as an historical curiousa. And it is in the hands of my attorney. Second: I have also had it looked at by the Cody Museum, along with several other licensed experts. The age of this piece is from 1855-1873, and was modified for military purposes, which was a common practice BACK THEN... I suggest you google "howdah pistol". The howdah pistol was developed for the purpose of protection against lions in India BACK THEN....Third: Any sale of will be done through my lawyer, and a licensed dealer . Fourth: Did you see anywhere on this blog I was attempting to sell, I think I was looking for information.
As far as my mishap in Maine, it is not illegal for me to carry an unloaded pistol, which it was NOT loaded, and not concealed. And I have had my day in court, and had all charges dismissed. WAKE UP!
Oh and by the way, the expert I am dealing with in London, states: Early English cartridge. :](*,)

[BunnySlayer]

Annie,

It appeares you do have an excellent example of a 19th century Howdah pistol. It's my understandnig they were developed for use against Tigers in India (not lions) during hunting while riding on the backs of Elephants in baskets called Howdahs. The pistols main purpose was to dispatch wounded Tigers. The hunts were elaborate affairs involving beaters and the above mentioned elephants. The tigers would be driven by the beaters toward the elephants bearing the hunters in the baskets and shot. The tigers (as expected) did not allways take kindly to this treatment and would often charge the hunters elephant and all and at such close quarters rifles were too bulky and slow to be effective.

The value of these guns depands on the individual piece and can range from very low for some of the cheaper and more common ones to quite valuable. The maker seems to be a big factor but I'm far from an expert in this particular specialty. Sotheby's would be an excellent place to investigate in the U.K. In the U.S. you might try Little Johns Auction Service located in Orange California. They specialize in antique and historical firearms and their sales and appraisals. Their phone number is 714-939-1170. I hope this helps you.

[Annie Oakley]

:thumbsup1: Thanks for the info any and all is greatly appreciated. I will give them a call and see where it leads..