"Sawn Off" Firearms

Firearm Friday – The Art (and Infamy) of the Sawn-Off

This week at the Owen Guns museum bench, we’re taking a closer look at a trio of compact curiosities that all share a common theme, modification. Each of the firearms in this photo tells a story not just of its original manufacture, but of a second life shaped by alteration, practicality, and sometimes necessity.

At first glance, the most striking piece is the sawn-off CBC MOD 651 410 shotgun. Once a traditionally stocked and barreled sporting firearm, it has been dramatically shortened, both in barrel length and stock.

These types of modifications were historically carried out to make the firearm more compact and easier to handle in confined spaces. While that portability came at the cost of accuracy and range, the wide spread and close-quarters effectiveness made them infamous in both bush use and less lawful settings. The craftsmanship on this example still shows traces of its original quality, particularly in the engraving and timber, despite its reduced form.

Moving onto the next one, we have a cut-down BSA 310 cadet into a pistol. The shortened barrel and reshaped grip suggest it may have been adapted for ease of carry or concealment.

Firearms like this often emerged from practical modification rather than factory design, a reflection of a time when owners or gunsmiths would tailor firearms to suit very specific needs. The exposed trigger and compact frame give it a utilitarian, almost improvised appearance.

Finally, we see another heavily shortened Anschutz 22lr bolt action, this one retaining more of a rifle-style stock but with a significantly reduced barrel length.

Compared to the others, this example appears slightly more refined in its finish, suggesting the work may have been carried out with a bit more care or by a more experienced hand. It sits somewhere between a traditional rifle and a purpose-built compact firearm, a hybrid born from modification rather than original intent. Anschutz did make their own target variation of their 22lr rifles and called it the “Exemplar” 

What ties all three pieces together is the concept of adaptation. In earlier periods, especially in rural or frontier environments, firearms were tools first and foremost.

Owners weren’t always concerned with originality or collector value, they wanted something that worked for their situation. Whether that meant cutting down a shotgun for horseback carry or reshaping a stock for quicker handling, these modifications were often practical decisions.

Today, these “sawn-off” or altered firearms are viewed very differently. Modern regulations strictly control barrel lengths and modifications, and for good reason. However, from a historical and museum perspective, they offer a fascinating glimpse into how firearms were actually used, adapted, and sometimes repurposed in the real world.

Each of these pieces in the Owen Guns collection serves as a reminder that not every firearm remained as it left the factory, some evolved, sometimes dramatically, to meet the needs of their time.