Coach Gun
Various Gunsmiths · Shotgun · In Production · 1858
Also known as: Stagecoach Gun, Messenger Gun
Overview
The Coach Gun is a class of short-barreled, side-by-side double-barreled shotgun, typically chambered in 12 or 10 gauge with a break-action and exposed hammers. With barrels usually ranging from 18 to 24 inches (460 to 610 mm), it was favored by shotgun messengers guarding Wells Fargo and other stagecoach shipments in the American Old West, from which it takes its name. Its compact length made it easy to wield from the driver's box of a coach, and its wide shot spread suited close-quarters defense. The pattern remains popular today among cowboy action shooters and is reproduced by makers such as CZ, Stoeger, and others.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3040 g (107.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 950 mm (37.40") |
| Barrel Length | 510 mm (20.08") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12ga, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Exposed Hammers, Double Triggers, Short Barrels, Side By Side Barrels, Top Break Action
Service history
Operators
- Wells Fargo & Company
Production
Production years: 1858-present
Produced continuously by numerous makers since the mid-19th century; modern reproductions remain in production for cowboy action shooting.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
Coach gun is a generic class rather than a single model; there was no single original manufacturer. Period examples were produced by Remington, Ithaca, Colt, Parker, and Savage-Stevens, among others. Barrels were often cut down to as short as 12 inches by gunsmiths or owners.
Background
The coach gun earned its name from the shotgun messengers who rode atop Wells Fargo stagecoaches in the 1800s, cradling short side-by-side shotguns to fend off highwaymen. The phrase 'riding shotgun' descends directly from this practice.