Happy Birthday my friend, hope we both have a few more. Have you ever stopped to think how many raffle tickets you have sold over the years, Thank you for what you have done and continue to do, Gary

Done, and doner. Letter request emailed. Hope this answers the question(s)
That said, when was the first known example of 3" 12 ga. chambers first produced?

good question...hope someone can answer this for you...charlie

I'd bet Parker Bros. was chambering 12-gauge "Pigeon Guns" for 3-inch 12-gauge shells in the 1890s, maybe earlier.

In those days the long shells didn't have a heavier payload. More/better wadding was their feature.

Attachment 81415

Attachment 81416

The 12-gauge 3-inch progressive burning powder, high velocity loads with 1 3/8 ounce of shot came on the market circa 1924/5 --

Attachment 81417

The 12-gauge 3-inch Magnum load with 1 5/8 ounce of shot came out in 1935, along with Winchester's Model 12 Heavy Duck.

Todd,
I choose a Life Membership when I was 69
Never regretted it!!
Jim

really like those 3 inch shell boxes..i have 2 boxes of the 3 inch record shells and a few boxes of the 3 inch 1 3/8 ounce loads in 12 ga ive got to learn how to post pictures....charlie

The letter arrived yesterday. (Thanks Chuck) The pedigree of the gun was confirmed. Ownership, choke boring, (IC/Full. Dimensions, etc.
The gun was purchased in 1905, and then returned to the factory for a complete tune-up in 1909.
No mention of the chamber lengths, so all we can do is speculate.
Attachment 81719

Deep South bird hunting town. Not likely a quail gun though!

He spec'd it at 8 lbs, and evidently wanted an open first shot, and super tight second barrel.
The same combination I have preferred on hand thrown pigeons. (Hmmmm) Then you throw in 3" chambers. Waterfowl?
I wish this gun could talk.

Very interesting.