I'm not sure when the paper shells first came out, but for sure UMC was offering paper shot shell cases on their May 1880 price list --

Attachment 73279

Dave, what is a shot concentrator ?

Other question , do you have any understanding of why a bore would be tighter than nominal for the gauge ? I understand choke constrictions , I understand barrels that are tapered through much of their length , but I don’t get a tight bore ending in a low degree of choke .

I’ve not read any learned discussions on the bore diameter issue .

Colts
 

Just outstanding Bruce !!

According to the book, Early Shotgun Concentrators and Spreaders by Gary B. Muckel, 6531 Carlsbad Dr., Lincoln, NE 68510, $55 plus $3 shipping, the UMC shot concentrators were of the Lancaster design. See U.S. Patent No. 97,653 granted Dec. 7, 1869.

Century earlier attempts to do what the Winchester/Western Mark 5 and modern plastic wads have done.

there is a concentrator on the wards auction site....charlie