.410 /chambers
 

Just received a super cute little Belgian .410 Hammergun, with Laminated barrels. The chambers measure 2 6/8ths to the beginning of the forcing cone. I guess That means they are meant for 2 1/2" shells? I t seems to me that most "vintage" 410's were roll crimped, how long ago did the 3" 410 appear?

You need to post some pics of that one.

3" factory USA shells probably were introduced with the Model 42 Winchester in 1933. Dave Noreen may give more and more accurate information.

I will maybe tomorrow Rich. This little girl has a scaled frame, and although a “store brand” (JJ Weston) guild gun, the wood, fit and finish are way better than many examples I have seen. The gun weighs a hefty 4 pounds 6 ounces! A fair amount of case remaining, and decent black and white figure on barrels. Bores perfect.....but someone dropped it, and the horn plate is busted, and the toe is damaged. Mechanicals are perfect, and a little elbow grease is removing the surface corrosion and gunk on the barrels. 27 inch barrels. The balance is ahead of the hinge, so cleaning up the butt, and adding a thick leather covered pad should restore balance (if a 4 pound gun needs balancing), plus make it a little closer to the 14 3/4” lop I like.

The gun has black powder proofs, but chambers are over 2 1/2”, so I need to do some research to see if the pressures of say 410 AA are way more than the black powder loads of the same size.

Really happy with this gun! I shoot 410 at doves more often than not, and look forward to whackng both Doves and Snipe with this little nipper!

Sounds like a neat find. With a gun that light you may like it having the weight forward a little more, it may make it feel less whippy.

Here are a few of the sellers pics...the gun is better than the pics...

I know RST makes some 410's might want to talk to them as far as pressure is concerned.

Considering the age of the gun, there is a good chance the chambers may have started out at 2". It is a nice little shotgun. Enjoy!

Very possible, but if so it was reamed with a sudden step like many older hammer guns. You cannot close the gun on a live 3" .410 round. I bet I had the seller measure those chambers five times! So many of these little guns of that era are 2" 36 gauge, or .44 XL or Marbles Gamegetter. Really happy with this little gun. Have an onslaught of Grackles at the house right now...gonna whoop up on 'em this evening!

Kent Cartridge made a run of 2" .410s, but I think they gave up. I bought some for my .410 trunk cases, but have not shot them. Check with them. They may have been Gamebore branded.