The single best and most economical arm for hunting and defense in the Old West was the side by side, double-barreled shotgun. Thousands of these side-hammer scatterguns were a mainstay to settlers, miners, ranchers, gunfighters, and virtually anyone who needed a close-quarter defensive weapon. In times of civil unrest, many lawmen considered the scattergun as the best town tamer, and express companies especially realized the value of these smoothbores and armed their messengers with them. They each knew the threat of scattered shot from a shotgun's blast had a higher chance of dissuading an unruly crowd or a dangerous road bandit, than would the single projectile from a rifle or pistol. Cimarron's Deluxe Model 1878 12-gauge Coach Gun, inspired by an original in our collection, is readily available in an agile 20-inch barrel length. It is capable of handling 2-3/4 inch shotshells in both chambers, using traditional exposed side-hammers that are operated by separate triggers. The pistol grip stock and schnabble forearm shaped from fine-grain walnut have excellent hand checkering for a superior grip in grueling environments. Rich standard bluing protects exposed metal surfaces to include the receiver and a raised center-line rib. When you ride shotgun, ride with a Cimarron Deluxe Model 1878 Coach Gun.