20 gauge 2 7/8”

[Researcher]

I think it was Dr. Drew who found some articles from a A.W. DuBray (aka Goucho) about hunting on his tour of the southeast using a Parker Bros. 16-gauge with 2 7/8-inch shells. I found a similar articles from the 16 March 1901, Sporting Life about his snipe hunting near Beaumont, Texas, using a 3-inch 20-gauge.

Over my years of watching sporting collectibles auctions, I've seen a goodly number of boxes of vintage 3-inch shells in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge and a lesser number of boxes of 2 7/8-inch shells in 12- and 20-gauge but I've yet to see a box of 2 7/8-inch 16-gauge shells. The period ammo catalogs did list them.

ARROW 12-gauge 2 7-8 inch 01.jpg

ARROW 20-gauge, 2 7-8 inch 01a.jpg

[6pt-Sika]

This is rather profound ! I pulled the letter out for the DHE 20 gauge 30” I bought at the Southern last year and it letters with 2 7/8” chambers . So I got it out the safe and tried all three brands of 3” and they seem to fit . I’ll try a chamber gauge in it this week just to be safe . But I still want a 32” 20 preferably on a 1 frame and with the long chambers .

[Bill Murphy]

I have had two 3" #2 frame 20s and one 3" #0 frame 20. I have not had a #1 frame 20, but I'm looking.