The Cape guns were origenally named "CAPE GUNS" because they were the favorite firearm for the farmers who settled the Cape of Good Hope in what is now RSA. They were simply a combination gun so the farmer had a firearm that would handle what ever he needed at the time. They were side by sides because the origenals were made before O/U shotguns were common, and that configuration was what people were use to. Most were, infact, in the same chamberings that the settelers were used to in Europe, most were 16 ga shot barrels by 8mm or 9mm to 9.3 to 9.5 rifle.

I have a H. Berrela 16/8X57JR side lock cape gun, and a V. Haffner 20ga/58 Berdan carbine. Both were at the time of manufacture common military chamberings and commonly used on the Cape, and in Europe. Later there where larger rifle chamberings like the 500/450 as they discovered the hardiness of some of the animals they encountered on the Cape.

As stated above these things are rare today, but are just as usefull as they were when the folks setteled the Cape in South Africa.