I think the 2 5/8 is slightly earlier than the 2 7/8s . From what ive read though the 2 7/8 became more or less the standard 10 ga length . But when you mention the 10 ga to most people they automatically think of the 3.5 magnum . So the 2 7/8 is the short 10 ga compared to the 10 ga 3.5 . I don't think 10 ga 2 5/8 guns were as mass produced as 2 7/8s .

the 2 5/8 10 was the common "short" ten in England -

even as the 2 7/8 was the norm here

I believe Milton is correct. I have three Remington 10 gauge doubles made in the mid-1880s and they have 2 5/8" chambers. My 10 gauge Remington double made in 1899 has 2 7/8" chambers.

So after what year did Parker make 2 7/8 standard ?

Well I think hes also right the 2 5/8 was more popular in England but I think they also ended going with the 2 7/8 length as well shortly after the Americans or around the same time .

Yep I use my short Ten.

They are a lot of fun to shoot, and another one has followed me home. A grade 1 Ithaca Crass from 1895, 30" Twist barrels and lots of condition and tight. Not a lot of bling, but a lot of gun for not a lot of money. Oddly enough the frame is stamped 1P (grade 1 plain) and 12, but it is a 10 gauge. I am guessing it's just a miss stamp, it weighs 8 1/2 pounds.

nice gun i like those barrels...just a big old 12 ga...ha charlie

Since this thread was started 9 years ago it would be interesting to see who is still shooting the short 10 .

The unfortunate thing is when I try to convince people to give the short 10 a try they think its going to kick like a 10 ga 3.5 magnum and trying to explain the difference , it just gives them a headache .

I was telling my FFL recently that I was going to be buying a 2 7/8 10 ga soon and was going to get him to do the transfer for me . He started telling how the 10 ga was too much gun and the recoil was too extreme . So I tried explaining to him what the 10 ga 2 7/8 was and with RST ammo you're essentially shooting the payload of a modern 20 ga but in a much heavier gun . His response was nope 10 ga = loose teeth fillings ......

Tell him to find a better dentist