| Coach gun | |
|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Various law enforcement agencies Stagecoach Companies |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1858[1] |
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Produced | 1858–present |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 39 in. (991mm) |
| Barrel length | 18 in. (457mm) |
| Caliber | 10 and 12-gauge |
| Action | Break-action |
| Sights | Bead |
A coach gun is a modern term, coined by gun collectors, for a double-barreled shotgun, generally with barrels from 18 to 24 inches (460 to 610 mm) in length, placed side-by-side. These weapons were known as "cut-down shotguns" or "messenger's guns" from the use of such shotguns on stagecoaches by shotgun messengers in the American Wild West.