• Rifle Regiment arriving at Belle Point, 1817. Artwork by Michael Haynes

    Fort Smith

    National Historic Site AR,OK

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Smith Shotgun

L.C. Smith Shotgun
NPS Photo
 

L.C. Smith Shotgun

Gauge: 12

This double-barreled shotgun is made by L. C. Smith Company. This one is stamped Wells and Fargo & Co. These types of shotguns were common with lawmen in the old west as it did not require much aiming and had a lot of power. It was intended to shoot a metallic round that held several small lead balls. To create a larger pattern with the lead balls the barrels were cut short as in this example. Its range was limited but deadly.

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Did You Know?

reproduction of keelboat on Arkansas River with first fort soldier reenactors

Fort Smith was established on Christmas Day, 1817. Approximately 70 Rifle Regiment soldiers arrived by keelboat after a long journey on the Arkansas River.