20 gauge chamber length

[Ken Hill]

When did Parker start making 20 gauge guns with 2 3/4" chambers?

Thanks,
Ken

[Researcher]

When the customer asked for the gun to be chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. On a regular basis, probably after they sold out to Remington. My 1930 vintage VH-Grade in the 235xxx range still has 2 3/8 inch chambers intended for the old 2 1/2 inch shells.

[Ken Hill]

Dave,

Thanks. I thought it would have been in the 1920s after Western cartridge came out with the Super-X shell. I found a reference to the Model-12 using 2 3/4" chambers as standard around 1927.

Does it seem reasonable that a gun made in 1917 would have originally had a 2 3/4" chamber? I'm not sure if a research letter would provide the chamber length.

Thanks
Ken

[Researcher]

Back in the day, the heaviest loads our North American ammunition companies offered in the "standard" 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shell was 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder (or 18 grains of dense smokeless powders such as Infallible or Ballistite) pushing 7/8 ounce of shot. In the longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch 20-gauge shells they offered 2 1/2 drams of bulk smokeless powder (or 20 grains of dense smokeless powders such as Infallible or Ballistite) pushing that same 7/8 ounce of shot.

Arrow Rem-UMC 20-gauge 3-inch Label Load.jpeg

The perceived advantage of the 2 7/8 inch and 3-inch shells was more/better wadding. Lots of the commonly used 20-gauge shells were lighter like 2 drams pushing 3/4 ounce of shot.

Nitro Club 20-gauge 01.jpg

[charlie cleveland]

that 3 inch box is worth as much as a shooter parker gun....nice shells and good info...charlie