While never a large part of our military small arms arsenal, increasing numbers of shotguns saw service in all subsequent U.S. military procured shotguns specifically for combat purposes when a couple hundred commercial Winchester Model 1897 slide-action “riot” shotguns (20' barrel) were issued to American soldiers fighting Moro tribesmen in the Philippines. In the immediate aftermath of the Spanish-American War of 1898, the U.S.

Likewise, shotguns accompanied troops during the western expansion from the late 1860s through the 1880s.Ī few shotguns were acquired by the military during this period for “foraging” use, such as hunting birds and other small game to supplement the typical salt pork and hardtack fare. Shotguns were often employed, particularly by Confederate cavalrymen, during the American Civil War. Even before the Revolutionary War, smoothbore flintlock “fowling pieces” were frequently pressed into service in the hands of militia and other irregular troops. Shotguns have had a long, but often unheralded, tenure of service with America’s armed forces.

Ithaca double barrel shotgun markings