MovieChat Forums > Stagecoach (1939) Discussion > riding shotgun

riding shotgun

posted 16 years ago by D_vd_B
9 replies | jump to latest

Hey,

what does that mean exactly. Ofcourse I know what riding is and I know what a shotgun is, but does the term just mean something like "riding armed with a shotgun" or did the shotgun reference not really point to the use of that sort of weapon? So technically, is the one who is riding shotgun just the guard of the stagecoach or would he ride revolver (it sounds stupid, I know) if he would be armed with a revolver.

I can understand that a shotgun would be the best arm to bear when on a coach, so that might be why I've never heard other terms for it.

[–] Movester 16 years ago

I guess it depends on the time frame.
Normally I would expect it to mean what you propose: being the guard, regardless of the arm used, but in this case (1880) I guess it would still be litteral for the reason you state, shotguns being widely used both in the Civil War and in the battles against the indians later that century.

When my kids wanna ride shotgun, I hope they are not armed (sitting in the front seat besides the driver).
Ehm... we don't own a stagecoach, mind you.

[–] AlonzoTheArmless 15 years ago

Wells Fargo used to issue shotguns to the guards on their coaches. They typically sat up front alongside the driver to stave off bandits. In fact the type of shotguns- double barreled with short barrels- are called coach guns to this day.

"As private parts to the gods, we are- they play with us for their sport!" - Lord Melchett

[–] aapc-2 15 years ago

And they were TEN gauge, devastating weapons. Over two tons of force at the muzzle, if only part of the shot pattern hit you, you'd still be down and likely NOT getting up... ever!

[–] bradford-1 15 years ago

Does anyone know if the driver and shotgun guard ever switched places, say, on an especially long journey, or did one always drive and the other always sit guard?

[–] smatysia 15 years ago

Not just anyone could drive a six-horse team, it was a fairly specialized skill.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Harvestmoonman13 14 years ago

Riding shotgun on coaches goes way back even before the 1800s. I remember watching that pawn stars show on the history channel and some guy was pawning off a double barreled French coach gun from the 1700s. Had a bayonet on it as well.

[–] Captain_Augustus_McCrae 14 years ago

On stagecoach runs where valuables were being shipped, the stage lines like Wells, Fargo & Co., Hatch & Hodges and Butterfield Stage Line employed men call 'shotgun messengers" who were armed with short 10 gauge double-barreled shotguns. The job payed relatively well for the time, and carried a certain amount of prestige, as well. Probably the most famous of the shotgun messengers in the West were Morgan and Wyatt Earp, who both worked for Wells, Fargo in that capacity in several locations, including Tombstone.

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's living!!!"
Augustus McCrae

[–] lwi101 13 years ago

The drivers or "teamsters" were specialized, and eventually led led to guild status. They usually sat on the right, cause that was where the hand brake was, the long Johnson bar, as most drivers would be right handed, IE right was the strong side. This led to Great Britain driving on the left, so the driver could watch the wheels of wagons going in the opposite direction.The guards were much less specialized, and were mainly protection against bandits as mentioned. By the time of "The Magnificent Seven", apparently the driver sat on the left, and shotgun on the right.-)