Some might think of the handgun as the easiest and most practical weapon for self-defense in the Wild West, but for most people, particularly ranchers, farmers, and law enforcers who often had to deal with a noisy group of cowboys who had turned up a bit, a 12-gauge shotgun was the most practical, most intimidating, and easiest thing to handle on the American frontier.
For self-defense or hunting, the double-barreled shotgun has many objectives that handguns alone cannot match. A simple rifle in the hands of a farmer, his wife, son or daughter, to defend property or home was much more threatening. Even defenders of the law and outlaws from frontier towns would reach for a rifle when the numbers were not in their favor. A double-dog weapon may not have been as eye-catching as a gleaming Colt Peacemaker, but it certainly was the weapon no one would want to see standing on the wrong side.
In the 19th century there were more than 40 American rifle manufacturers in operation. Among the most prestigious was Parker Brothers in Meridian, Connecticut, which made rifles from the 1860s until 1942. Other important 19th-century shotguns with or without a hammer were produced by L. C. Smith, Ithaca, Stevens (known for their famous Three-Trigger rifle that used the trigger in front to release the bolt and open the barrel), Lefever, and Winchester (with their shotguns imported from Britain and sold under the Winchester name).
All these different models are highly prized by collectors, but the guns most commonly used by lawmen, ranchers, farmers, businessmen and bandits were those created by E. Remington & Sons, and Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Co., two manufacturers known predominantly for their pistols.
Both Colt in Hartford (Connecticut) and its closest competitors, E. Remington & Sons in Ilion (New York) offered their own line of rifles in the early 1870s, while Winchester, preferring to focus on improving and expanding its own rifle lines, continued to import side-by-side rifles from Britain well into the 1880s.
Winchester 1879 model rifles made in Great Britain were marked on the top of the barrel with the words Winchester Repeating Arms Co. New Haven Conn U.S.A. These elegant British double guns with a very recognizable American name were always shorter than the Colt and Remington models, whose double guns were the most popular and affordable in the 1870s and 1880s.
Remington introduced its first models in 1974, and like many other guns made in Ilion, New York, the guns also had a double name, Remington-Whitmore (because of A.E. Whitmore’s 1871 patent). The first model was built during 1878 when an improved version without the Whitmore name was introduced. The Model 1878 was also known as “the new heavy rifle model” and was built during the mid-1880s.
The 1878 double-dog weapon earned its nickname because it came only in 10-gauge, while its predecessors were available in 10- and 12-gauge models. Most Remington doubles were available with barrels of two different lengths, 28 inches and 30 inches.
Hartford’s signature The 1878 model of the double-barreled Colt rifle was among the most popular of the late 19th century. Seen as one of the best American double guns ever made, the 12-gauge models were used by everyone from farmers and law enforcers to shopkeepers and outlaws. A total of 22,683 examples were made between 1878 and 1889, with guns available in both 12- and 10-gauge, and with barrels ranging from 18 inches to 34.
In addition, Colt made a very limited number of double guns with the same forfeited design of 45-70 caliber, 45-85 Express, 45-90, and 45-100. The 1878 model was joined by the 1883 Hammerless model, which remained in production until 1895. These were available in 8-, 10- and 12-gauge models, with a variety of barrels ranging from 18 to 36 inches. The Model 1883 became the king of American doubles, with just over 8,000 Hammerless examples made. A little later that year, E.M.F. and F.lli Pietta would introduce their Hartford version of the famous Colt Hammerless double barrel. But for now, their new 12-gauge Hammer Gun is the star.
