Poacher's gun facts for kids

A poacher's gun was a small, easy-to-hide gun. Poachers in Northern England used these guns from the 1700s to the early 1900s. They used them to hunt small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and weasels. Another type of hidden gun, called a cane gun, looked like a walking stick. But the poacher's gun was made to be very small and easy to carry secretly.

Early Poacher Guns: 1700s

The first poacher's guns were made from old army pistols. These were called flintlock pistols and were loaded from the front (muzzle-loading). Soldiers often brought these pistols home after wars with the French. They were common and not too expensive for regular people. People could buy them or trade them at pawn shops or pubs.

During the Industrial revolution, many workers learned new metalworking skills. They could use tools like a tap and die or files from their jobs. A clever person could use these tools to build their own secret hunting gun.

The first poacher's guns had a barrel that could be screwed on and a buttstock (the part you hold against your shoulder) that could be taken off. This made them like a modern takedown gun. The owner could hide the three parts inside their coat. If a gamekeeper or constable saw them, they would be less likely to be arrested. Carrying a weapon on someone else's land (called armed trespass) was a serious crime back then. People caught doing this could get into big trouble.

Improved Designs: 1800s

As technology got better during the Victorian era, companies started making more advanced poacher's guns. These new guns used paper or brass cartridges. Gun barrels that had grooves inside (called rifled barrels) also began to appear. These grooves made the bullets spin, which helped them fly straighter and hit targets more accurately.

Poacher's guns from this time included rook rifles or .410 shotguns that could fold up. Their barrels were often the same length as the buttstock, making them very compact. These types of guns were used by poachers. But farmers also used them to control vermin (pests). And children often used them when they were learning how to shoot.

Modern Similarities

Today, there is a gun called the .22 Armalite AR-7 survival rifle. It works in a similar way to the old poacher's guns. This rifle is given to pilots in the Israeli Defence Force and American aircrew. Its main parts – the receiver, magazine, and barrel – can be taken apart and stored inside the buttstock.

A version of this rifle is also available for everyday people. It can be attached to a backpack. Hikers, fishermen, and survivalists in America often use it.

See also

• Alarm gun, a simple gun from the 1700s. It was set up with a tripwire and would fire to scare or hurt poachers and grave robbers.