H.Koon Inc. Snake Charmer .410 Shotgun
The original model .410 Snake Charmer top break shot shotgun introduced in 1978, by H.Koon, Inc, of Dallas, Texas was 28 1/8" long with a shortened plastic stock and integrated pistol grip. It was a simple top break style shotgun with no safety mechanism other than a de-cocked hammer with a catch to relieve pressure from the firing pin when in storage. The Snake Charmer’s weight is kept down in part by the polymer thumbhole stock. Including its 18” stainless steel barrel, the Snake Charmer weighs in at only 3.6lbs. This shotgun does not have any sights mounted to the barrel. There is no rail system or means to mount a gun sight or optics nor would optics be practical for such a platform.
The original model Snake Charmer, also known as the Snake Charmer I, is designed to chamber 2 1/2" .410 shells and will not accept 3" long shells.
Mr H. Koon sold his company, H.Koon Inc., to Sporting Arms Mfg, of Littlefield, Texas. The new owners modified the original design by adding a manual safety switch which blocked the hammer when engaged and re-brand it as the Snake Charmer II. Furthermore, the model II would now accept 3" .410 shells (according to this source) as well as 2.5".
The name "Snake Charmer" has been applied as general slang for any short 410 shotgun with a pistol grip and/or shortened stock. Other companies have used "Snake" in similarly fashioned names for small .410 shotguns very much like the Snake Charmer. For example, Harrington & Richardson company makes a small .410 shotgun they call the "Snake Tamer".
The official Snake Charmer and Snake Charmer II are neither accurate nor easy to aim shotguns. The intention is for up close use and a compact design which makes the gun easier to carry with other tools and gear. The overall length is just enough to comply with federal firearms laws. The buttstock itself is completely useless other than to provide the necessary length or perhaps for a smaller framed person to tuck under the arm when firing if that is of any benefit to stabilization. Due to the low recoil and controllability of the small .410 shotgun loads the Snake Charmer can be managed by the average adult and older children (with adult supervision of course).
