16 Gauge Chambering Question

[Researcher]

In theory with Parker Bros. policy of holding chambers 1/8-inch shorter than the intended shell, the "standard" 16-gauge chamber would be 2 7/16-inch for the 2 9/16-inch shell. I suspect a lot of the 2 7/16-inch chambers get measured as 2 1/2-inch. A gun for the 2 3/4-inch shell would have 2 5/8-inch chambers, for 2 7/8-inch shells a 2 3/4-inch chamber and for 3-inch shells 2 7/8-inch chambers.

When A.W. DuBray made his swing through the southeast in late 1900 his articles to the sporting press told of his using a Parker Bros. 16-gauge and 2 7/8-inch shells. The next year he writes of using a 20-gauge and 3-inch shells.