Single Barreled Shotgun

The 12 gauge single shot shotgun has been available to the public for many years. The Single shot breach loading shotgun was an instrumental weapon for hunting in 1880s America. It's light weight and cheap cost (relative to other firearms) made it very popular for hunting fowl and other light game. 12 gauge single shot breach loading shotguns have been made by Ithaca, Stevens, Savage, Remington, Winchester, Harrington Richards and other manufacturers. Many shotguns between the 1880s and the 1950s were sold through the major 'mail order' companies of the time, Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward and several others. The Guns marked Sears or Montgomery Ward were contract guns which were actually built by Stevens or Savage Arms.

The Majority of 12 gauge single shot shotguns seen in film are 12 gauge versions, however, the single shot shotguns were offered in .16, .18, .20 and .410 gauge.