Russ, my Dad's VHE .410 was most definitely chambered for 2 1/2", and I am pretty sure it measured 2 7/16". I confess I saw no real reason to keep it, and it became several other Parkers. This all took place way before the PGCA, and I have no recollection of it's serial number.

Edgar ,Thank You for the reply ,do you mean 2 9/16 ?

The one and only .410-bore hang-tag that has come to light 235582 shows "Use 2 1/2-inch shells" and that it was targeted with the 3/8-ounce load. When talking history of the .410-bore, keep in mind that from its introduction the 2-inch shell carried a 3/10-ounce load and the 2 1/2-inch shell a 3/8-ounce load. The 1/2-ounce load in the 2 1/2-inch shell that we all know didn't come along until about 1936.

The Remington era specification sheets list the chamber depth for the 3-inch .410-bore shell to be 2 15/16-inch. They don't show for a 2 1/2-inch shell, but one could speculate 2 7/16-inch.

what about 28 inch barrels.:bigbye: I want 28 inch!

I have an original hang tag that states Use 2 1/2 ,Serial # 222947 ,I believe ,this is from memory ,I recently looked at it I think this is correct ,I am not home but when I am I will get a picture and post it !

this has really been an interesting topic to me thanks fellows...I have some of those 3/8 ounce loads some where....charlie

It appears to me that most of the early .410-bore boxes and catalog listings don't mention how tiny the load really was.

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The only boxes I've seen that admit to only 3/8 ounce is the early Western Super-X .410-bore --

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Some more --

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Here is the Hang Tag I posted about earlier ,sorry it took so long to post ,just sat down for the evening and turned on my computer !