Image: Restored Parker BHE 12 gauge side-by-side shotgun. Explore additional examples of shotgun restoration.

Brief History of Side-by-Side Shotguns

Image: Ansley H. Fox, 1894 Patent for Breech Loading Breakdown Gun.

Side-by-side (SXS) shotguns, with their distinctive twin barrels that are set next to each other horizontally, originated in the 1700’s in muzzleloader form with flintlock ignition. I’ve shot a replica of an original and can never quite get used to the slight muzzleloader lag for wing shooting. In the mid-1850 Charles Lancaster developed the equivalent of a primer to fire a breech-loaded cartridge. The folks at Purdey and Holland and Holland developed a sidelock version in 1875, then the race was on with multiple manufacturers making SXS shotguns and continuing to refine the designs (like the famous A.H. Fox design, above). These shotguns became the firearms of choice for hunters and recreational shooters due to their balance, reliability, and aesthetic appeal up until about the 1930s.

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Which Classic Side-by-Side Shotguns Are the Most Popular?

Several American manufacturers rose to prominence by producing some of the finest side-by-side shotguns the world has ever seen. Among these, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, L.C. Smith, Lefever, Parker, and Winchester stand out as icons of American gun-making.

6 Historically Popular Side-by-Side Shotgun Makers

• A.H. Fox
• Ithaca
• L.C. Smith
• Lefever
• Parker
• Winchester

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A.H. Fox

Image: Restored A.H. Fox Sterlingworth 12 gauge side by side shotgun from from 1932. Explore additional examples of A.H. Fox shotgun restoration.

A.H. Fox shotguns, founded by Ansley H. Fox in 1905, are celebrated for their precision engineering and elegant design. The A.H. Fox Sterlingworth model, known for its beautiful aesthetics, balance, and reliability, remains a favorite among collectors. These shotguns were produced in various grades, showcasing exquisite engravings and high-quality materials. They are truly a thing of beauty and a sight to behold.

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Ithaca

Image: Ithaca Flues 20 gauge side-by-side shotgun, with case colors by Turnbull Restoration.

I’ve always admired the John Browning-designed Model 37 pump action shotgun made by Ithaca Gun Company. For most, that gun is synonymous with the company. Before they became famous for the Model 37, they made the Ithaca Baker shotgun in the late 1880s. In 1907 they purchased a patent for an upgraded design from Emil Flues and began mass production of the Ithaca Flues Double Barrel shotgun. This would become the best-selling gun of the time, with high-grade models sold to influential customers like Annie Oakley.  They would later partner with Lefever to produce Lefever’s hammerless shotgun. Ithaca has changed hands multiple times, the current owner focuses primarily on various incarnations of the Model 37.

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L.C. Smith

Image: Restored L.C. Smith Grade 4 10 gauge side-by-side shotgun from 1920. Explore additional examples of L.C. Smith shotgun restoration.

L.C. Smith got its start when Lyman Cornelis Smith and his brother Leroy partnered with WH Baker to produce guns under the Baker name. Baker and Leroy Smith left to create Ithaca. Lyman continued to build the “Baker” guns until 1884 and launched his own design in 1886. Smith later became interested in manufacturing typewriters (Smith Corona) and sold the company to John Hunter in 1888 who started producing the L.C. Smith brand guns that made them popular. Under Hunter, L.C. Smith offered a variety of models up until the early 1950s for hunters and trap and skeet shooters of various grades. L.C. Smith shotguns of this era were highly prized by hunters, recreational shooters, and collectors.

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Lefever

Image: Restored Lefever A Grade 410 bore side-by-side shotgun. 

Founded by Daniel Myron Lefever in 1883, Lefever Arms Company produced shotguns renowned for their innovative engineering and superior craftsmanship. Lefever’s development of the first truly hammerless double shotgun was a significant advancement in technology of the day. The robust construction and unique ball-and-socket joint of Lefever shotguns ensured smooth operation and reduced wear. True Lefever-made guns were made until 1919 and then Ithaca made several incarnations of Lefever models into the 1940’s.

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Parker

Image: Restored Parker AHE 20 gauge side-by-side shotgun. Explore additional examples of Parker shotgun restoration.

Charles Parker had a Union contract to produce rifles during the Civil War. This experience led Charles to found the Parker Brother’s Gun Company with his three sons in 1867. They operated independently until 1934 when they were purchased by Remington. They ultimately ceased production in 1942, producing over 242,000 guns during their run.  Parker shotguns were known for their exceptional quality, balance, and reliability, and were available in various grades, each featuring different levels of engraving and wood quality. Higher-grade Parkers, with their intricate scrollwork and finely checkered stocks, are rightly considered works of art. This is a Parker Invincible model. It is 1 of only  3 guns of this grade that were ever made.

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Winchester

Image: Restored Winchester Model 21 20 gauge side-by-side shotgun. Explore additional examples of Winchester shotgun restoration.

No list of American side-by-side shotguns can go without mentioning Winchester and the Model 21. The first model 21 was marketed in 1930 for $59. That’s roughly $1,100 today’s dollars, but good luck finding one for that today! They are highly sought after by collectors, examples I could find examples for sale, at this writing, start at $8,000 and go up from there. Their desirability is rooted in the Model 21 being a beautiful gun that was very high quality. The 21 was known for the unique way the gun locks up with an under bolt that can be tightened as the action loosens over time. Plus their steel quality allowed the gun to handle hotter loads than many other contemporary models. And as a result, you can still find serviceable models today.

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Why did Side-by-Side Shotguns Fall Out of Favor?

Image: The historic Ithaca Gun Company factory (The History Center in Tompkins County)

While it’s popular to blame the launch of John Browning’s Superposed, the decline in the popularity of side-by-side shotguns can be attributed to several factors. The depression didn’t help matters and SXS shotguns were labor-intensive and expensive to build. At the same time, the increasing popularity of quality pump-action shotguns, like the Winchester Model 12 and later the Ithaca Model 37, offered hunters and shooters greater firepower at a much more affordable price.

Additionally, changing hunting regulations that allowed the taking of more birds and the rise of competitive shooting sports that favored higher-capacity shotguns also contributed to the shift away from SXS designs. The Browning Over/Under shotgun played a role, but economics and mass production of quality pump shotguns were a larger factor. As a result, by 1951 the Winchester Model 21 was the only quality SXS shotgun for sale that was made in the USA.

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Why are Side-by-Side Shotguns Increasing in Popularity?

Image: from “An Old Parker Finds New Life” at Sporting Classics Daily.

Suddenly side-by-side shotguns are becoming the gun to have again. The resurgence in popularity of SXS shotguns can likely be attributed to several factors. Certainly, gun enthusiasts appreciate these firearms’ historical significance and timeless craftsmanship. Plus, the aesthetic appeal and balance of SXS shotguns make them a pleasure to shoot. A growing interest in hunting as a means to secure high-quality natural food and the accessibility of public land for upland bird hunting has also contributed to their renewed popularity. Finally, coupled with renewed interest in hunting for younger generations, there’s a new crop of side-by-sides from Italy that are good guns and some models for reasonable prices that are making them more affordable and accessible.

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Hunting with a Side-by-Side Shotgun

Image: from “Supporting Hunting and Habitat: Top Conservation Groups” at HuntTested.com.

If you’re a wing shooter and you suddenly take up hunting with a side-by-side shotgun, it’s going to take some getting used to. I know people who are good shots otherwise, who just cannot get used to the view of two barrels. So you may want to shoot one a bit before jumping in with both feet. And, as is true with any shotgun, it’s paramount that the gun fits you well or you simply will not shoot it well. Or at least as well as you could.

On the positive side, the SXS also has some distinct advantages. Their balance and pointability make them ideal for upland bird hunting, where quick, instinctive shots are often required. They are quickly becoming the gun to have in the grouse woods. Although it is a bit of a dichotomy as grouse hunting in the thick brush is often quite rough on guns, and yet consistently of all the various forms of shotgun hunting that I do, I find it’s grouse hunters who seem to always have the fanciest guns with beautiful wood and engraving. Perhaps it’s because there is no more beautiful form of hunting than a stroll through the grouse woods in all her autumn glory, one needs a gun that is equal to the experience.

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Final Thoughts on Side-by-Side Shotguns

From their historical significance to modern-day appeal, the side-by-side shotgun truly holds a timeless allure for hunters and collectors alike. At their inception, the side-by-side shotgun represented the pinnacle of firearm design and craftsmanship. From the elegant lines of A.H. Fox to the robust engineering of Lefever, these shotguns have left an indelible mark on the history of American gunmaking. While they fell out of favor for a time, the renewed appreciation for their beauty, history, and performance has brought them back into the spotlight. Whether they are purchased for hunting or collecting, SXS shotguns offer us all a connection to a bygone era, and I can think of no better testament to the enduring appeal of finely crafted firearms.

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Related Content

Example Firearms

• A.H. Fox restoration examples
• Ithaca restoration examples
• L.C. Smith restoration examples
• Lefever restoration examples
• Parker restoration examples
• Winchester restoration examples
• Additional examples of shotgun restoration
• Our collection of shotguns for sale
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