A video clip from the History channel. Without examining the rifle in hand, the first double with exposed hammers is likely a blackpowder muzzle loader judging from the hammers. The men are riding in a 'howda', the name of the carriage on the elephant, and it is a diorama of British 'gentlemen' on a Tiger hunt in india in mid to the late 1800's.
The second rifle is an example of a, very rare for that time, 4 bore double rifle. Many 4 bore rifles existed but the vast majority were single barrel due to the massive weight. Rounds were, at that time, loaded with black powder, and though huge, power remained realtively weak compared to later smokeless rounds. A hunter would carry a 'stalking' rifle, leaving a gun bearer to carry 'the heavy'. only in close quarters or dense brush would the hunter switch weapons. The question I'd like to know is if Holland and Holland would still produce such a rifle. If they did, I'm sure the cost would be at least $500,000 and probably be the better part of five or seven years to make... anyone know?
