Snake Charmer (shotgun)
{{Infobox weapon
|name=Snake Charmer
| image= File:Snake charmer ad.jpg
| image_size =
|caption= H. Koon “Snake Charmer” advertisement.
|origin= United States
|type=Shotgun
|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes
|designer= Homer Koon
|design_date= 1970s
|manufacturer=
- H.Koon, Inc
- Sporting Arms Mfg
- V.B.E Inc
- Verney-Carron
|production_date= 1978 to 2009
|number=
|variants=
- Snake Charmer II
- Night Charmer
- Field Gun
|weight= {{convert|3+1/2|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|28+1/8|in|mm|2|abbr=on}}
|part_length= {{convert|18+1/8|in|mm|2|abbr=on}}
|cartridge= .410 bore
|caliber=
|action= break-action
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=
|feed= single-shot
|sights= none
}}
The Snake Charmer is a .410 bore, stainless steel, single-shot, break-action shotgun, with an exposed hammer, an 18-1/8" barrel, black molded plastic stock and forend (aka "furniture"), and a short thumb-hole butt-stock that holds four additional 2-1/2" shotgun shells. These lightweight 3-1/2 pound guns have an overall length of 28-1/8 inches and will easily fit on the saddle of a horse. 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.Field & Stream. News for 1979 Part II. by Bob Brister. May 1979. page 159Popular Science. Short Gun. by Paul Wahl. July 1978, p. 58 It originally sold for $89.95 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.39th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values. S. P. Fjestad. Blue Book Publications, 2018, {{ISBN|978-1936120321}} This flashlight equipped fore-stock was also available as an option and sold separately.{{cite web|url=https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/-/92-1444170/?|title=NIGHT CHARMER conversion kits for the Snake Charmer 410 shotgun.|website=AR15.com|accessdate=9 October 2018}} Sporting Arms would also introduce a larger version, the Field Gun which featured a full length stock and a 24-inch barrel.{{cite web|url=http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2017/10/featured-gun-snake-charmer-shotgun.html|title=TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: Featured Gun: The Snake Charmer Shotgun|date=5 October 2017|website=Tincanbandit.blogspot.com|accessdate=9 October 2018}}
The design was later sold to V.B.E, Inc, of Clay Center, Kansas. They were later made by Verney-Carron.Guns 101: A Beginner's Guide to Buying and Owning Firearms. by David Steier. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Jun 22, 2011. page 73 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nylonrifles.com/wp/2013/11/charming-snakes-with-lead/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225191352/http://www.nylonrifles.com/wp/2013/11/charming-snakes-with-lead/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 25, 2014|title=Charming Snakes with Lead|website=Nylonrifles.com|accessdate=9 October 2018}}
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
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://askafirearmsquestion.blogspot.com/2015/02/firearm-forum-question-sporting-arms.html Pictures of Snake Charmer]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q83SpOVnP4 Video of Snake Charmer 410 shotgun. BATJAC J.W]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGt-_OwCf7s Video of a Rossi Snake Charmer vs a Copperhead]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6vmJPpoic Video of Collapsible Shotgun 410 / 45 colt / 12 Ga. NEF Survivor Tamer]