While some pinfires were carried in the CW, most shotguns carried were sawed off double barrel muzzleloaders. These usually saw service by Confederate (and sometimes Union) cavalry. Most had slings or lanyard rings added.

There are a few sawed off shotguns that were made during the 1850's that are still around. You will occasionally find one at a gun show. Most sell for around $200. I would contend that most of these 1850's made, sawed off shotguns, particularly if they are fitted for a lanyard ring or a sling, saw CW use. 10's of thousands were used by the Confederate cavalry, but few survived the war, as most were "used up" and replaced by carbines relatively early in the war. Many more were discarded as useless, according to sources that I have read, after the war, as there was little civilian need or use for a sawed off shotgun at that time. This is one reason that I believe that any found today (if not recent creations) have a high probability of being a CW weapon. There was really no other use for them. At around $200, one of these is the best buy for a probably CW (and likely Confederate) used weapon. If nothing else, they are certainly representative of those used and are worthy for even the best of CW/Confederate weapons collections.

The centerfire cartridge or shell had not yet been invented. As I recall, that was invented in 1867.