Need help from shotshell experts

[mobirdhunter]

I'm working to create some tableaus for some of my Parkers that include original catalogs, brochures, contemporaneous magazines, books, etc. from the years the guns were made. I'm hoping to find and purchase shotshell boxes that are from the the guns' years of manufacture and would have been used by shooters of these guns, and that's where I need the help.

What would have been some of the shell manufacturers for the following years/gauges...all used for upland bird hunting? And what would the boxes have looked like?

- 1904 12 gauge 2 5/8"
- 1918 20 gauge 2 1/2"
- 1922 28 gauge 2 1/2"

Or, is there a reference book available that might have its information listed by year of manufacture.

Thanks in advance for any information you might have.

[Dean Romig]

I would expect “Researcher” Dave Noreen to come in with expert advice.





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[Researcher]

I'd suggest checking out the next Wards Auction --

https://wardscollectibles.com/viewcat.php?category=1

which I think will be in February. Item #1044 from the November Auction would cover your 1904 2 5/8 inch 12-gauge box. 12-gauge boxes of that vintage generally don't have the length listed on them if they are the "standard" 2 5/8 inch length, but do list the length if they are the 2 3/4 (like Items $1043 and 1045), 2 7/8 or 3-inch shells.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

I'd suggest checking out the next Wards Auction --

https://wardscollectibles.com/viewcat.php?category=1

which I think will be in February. Item #1044 from the November Auction would cover your 1904 2 5/8 inch 12-gauge box. 12-gauge boxes of that vintage generally don't have the length listed on them if they are the "standard" 2 5/8 inch length, but do list the length if they are the 2 3/4 (like Items $1043 and 1045), 2 7/8 or 3-inch shells.

Thanks, Dave! I am a frequent contributor to the coffers of Wards and will again look over their shell box offerings in their upcoming auction. Is there any easy way to know if a box I'm seeing is correct for the years in question? I assume manufacturers produce shells over a rather broad period. I've tried to look at ads from magazines for the years I'm seeking, but they have so far offered only the general manufacturer and not the specific box/load design.

Thank you again.

[Researcher]

I have a pretty good collection of Western Cartridge Co. and UMC and Rem-UMC paper to judge the age of boxes. If the box says Union Metallic Cartridge Co. it is 1910 or earlier. If it says Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co. it would be from the 1911 to 1916 time frame.

NITRO CLUB 28-ga 1 3-4 dram, 5-8 ounce.jpg

If the company name is The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Company Incorporated it is 1916 to 1920.

NITRO CLUB X20D7 Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Company Incorporated.jpg

In 1920 a new company was formed, Remington Arms Co., Inc. and early boxes like this carry the "Successor to The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Inc." line.

NITRO CLUB X23-7 1-2 Remington Arms Company, Inc. Successor to The Remington Arms - Union Metall.jpg

Later it was just the Remington Arms Co., Inc.

NITRO CLUB Heavy Duck Load top label.jpeg

Kleanbore priming was introduced in 1931

Arrow Express Lacquered 3-inch 20-gauge 1931 vintage.jpg

and for a couple of years they used green two-piece boxes and then during 1933 they began using the one-piece boxes.

[mobirdhunter]

Dave,

This is very, very helpful. Thank you for your time in gathering this information and posting it. I spent the day (cold and rainy so no hunting today) looking through some of the old magazines that I bought for this project. I came up with little other than a few Powder ads, one from 1918 which gave me some hints. Your information is so much more helpful!

Thanks again.

[Mark Britton]

I have a Nitro two piece 20ga box I found in a old house bird hunting (quail) years ago. Thanks to your post I now know it dates from 1931 to 1933. THANK YOU neat to know !

[Bill Murphy]

Wouldn't we long barrel 20 gauge shooters love to own that last box.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Wouldn't we long barrel 20 gauge shooters love to own that last box.

Yes!...or any of those pictured boxes. So my quest begins now for some boxes to match the production years for some of my better Parkers.

Thanks again to Dave for his help. What a treasure he is for us.

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Wouldn't we long barrel 20 gauge shooters love to own that last box.

It looks good sitting next to my 3-inch chambered, 32-inch barrel, 20-gauge, 2-frame.