Snake Charmer (shotgun)

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Snake Charmer
Snake charmer ad.jpg
H. Koon “Snake Charmer” advertisement.
TypeShotgun
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerHomer Koon
Designed1970s
Manufacturer
  • H.Koon, Inc
  • Sporting Arms Mfg
  • V.B.E Inc
  • Verney-Carron
Produced1978 to 2009
Variants
  • Snake Charmer II
  • Night Charmer
  • Field Gun
Specifications
Mass3 1/2 pounds
Length28 1/8 inches
Barrel length18 1/8 inches
Cartridge.410 bore
Actionbreak-action
Feed systemsingle shot
Sightsnone

The Snake Charmer is a .410 bore, stainless steel, single shot, break-action shotgun, with an exposed hammer, an 18 1/8 inch barrel, black molded plastic furniture and a short thumb-hole butt-stock that holds four additional 2 1/2 shotgun shells. These light weight 3 1/2 pound guns have an overall length of 28 1/8 inches and will easily fit on the saddle of a horse.[1] They may also be easily disassembled for "storage in a back-pack or large tackle box." They are commonly used by gardeners and farmers for pest control. The term "Snake Charmer" would go on to become synonymous with any small, short-barreled, single-shot, .410 shotgun.

History[]

The Snake Charmer was introduced in 1978, by H.Koon, Inc, of Dallas, Texas.[1][2] It originally sold for $89.95[2] and was marketed as a general purpose utility shotgun perfect for "Fishing - Hunting - Camping - Back Packing - Survival - Home Defense - Truck or Jeep Gun."

Koons would sell the company to Sporting Arms Mfg, of Littlefield, Texas. They added a manual safety switch which blocked the hammer when engaged and re-brand it as the Snake Charmer II. Sporting Arms would introduce the Night Charmer (disc. 1988) which featured a flashlight built into the fore-stock.[3] This flashlight equipped fore-stock was also available as an option and sold separately.[4] Sporting Arms would also introduce a larger version, the Field Gun which featured a full length stock and a 24-inch barrel.[5]

The design was later sold to V.B.E, Inc, of Clay Center, Kansas. They were later made by Verney-Carron.[6] Imported ones would have the importer (Kebco LLC) marked on them.

Other versions[]

Snake Charmer or Snake Tamer type shotguns are also made by Rossi as well as Harrington and Richardson.[7]

The Rossi Tuffy is a single-shot .410-bore shotgun. It features half-length thumb-hole polymer stock that holds four additional shot-shells and strongly resembles the original Snake Charmer. Unlike its predecessor, it has ejectors that automatically expel spent shells.

The H&R Snake Tamer is also a Snake Charmer like shotgun. Available in 20-gauge or .410-bore/.45 Colt only. These single-shot guns have either a blued finish or an electroless nickel finish with a full-length thumb-hole polymer stock. The right side of the stock is open with storage for three 20-gauge or four .410-bore shotgun shells. It also has ejectors that automatically expel spent shells.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Field & Stream. News for 1979 Part II. by Bob Brister. May 1979. page 159
  2. ^ 39th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values. S. P. Fjestad. Blue Book Publications, 2018, ISBN 978-1936120321
  3. ^ "NIGHT CHARMER conversion kits for the Snake Charmer 410 shotgun". AR15.com. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  4. ^ "TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: Featured Gun: The Snake Charmer Shotgun". Tincanbandit.blogspot.com. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  5. ^ Guns 101: A Beginner's Guide to Buying and Owning Firearms. by David Steier. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Jun 22, 2011. page 73
  6. ^ "Charming Snakes with Lead". Nylonrifles.com. Retrieved 9 October 2018.

External links[]

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