My 8 bore WC Scott was used by WRA to test 8 guage shells. It is stamped 3 1/2 " on the side of the left barrel and I have a test card that shows they used it on a test round of Normal powder [a British powder] using a Leader shell which was a paper shell. WRA made a LOT of 8 bore shells- brass and paper.

yep wra made a lot of 8 ga paper and brass...thats funny that they used your gun to test there shells out i think this is very neat...reckon why they did nt use a american made 8 ga..boy if your old gun could talk.... charlie

WRA
 

My Scott was built around 1876 and I honestly don't know when Parker started building 8 gauges. I bet you do Charlie.
They used a lot of guns to test cartridges. They often were marked. Mine has WRA engraved on the rib.
I have an upcoming article in PP about Parkers they bought and used to test shells. Sometimes blowing them up on purpose. I have serial numbers of those Parkers as well.

WRA Test Bank guns
 

They used a Scott 24 gauge as well.

8 GAUGE GUN AND SHELLS
 

Charlie this is for you, got to thinking about your interest in 8 gauges and decided to pull the old 8 out and take some photo's it is a 5 frame, with 34" twist barrels, P grade. The shells , well they speak for themselves! enjoy! my photo's did not come out good I apologize for that. Gary

What a great combination Gary.

Gary, That gun is stunning! Congratulations.

Gary: That set up would be my dream gun.Very nice.. Thomas

gary i really appreciate this...i truly have anunusal high interest in these old big bore guns..you sure do have a nice gun there its the first 5 frame ive seen listed.what does she weigh...and thats a nice box of shells..in all the full boxes of 8 ga shells ive seen those remington arrows have been it...i should have said the ones ive seen for sale and i could probably count them on my two hands...i have seen some game bore and ely s but im talking about american loaded shells...i have several different brands of loaded shells but ive only picked them up one at a time...gary you really have a nice gun there do you ever shoot it...and thanks again.... charlie

I have seen lifter #5 frame eights, but that is the first top lever #5 frame eight I've seen.