GH Chamber and Chokes?
 

The gunsmith who's working restoring my GH 12's Damascus barrels (they were rust blued years ago) has just informed me they are both full choke and the chambers are 2 1/2. I was wondering how common this was for a 1891 Parker?

Thanks

That is very common.

I think it is more uncommon to find a GH with original 2&3/4 inch chambers. I usually shoot RST 2.5 inch shells in my GH, but since it is a full and full I have been know to slip in some standard 12 gauge spreaders with no prob.

I read somewhere, maybe in these pages, that all SBT's have short chambers too. I shoot standard low base trap loads in mine.

Just bought a 16 gauge model 97 Win, made in 1910. I think that gun has short chambers too, but have yet to shoot it.

I have read Jack O'Conner's shotgun book about five times. In it he says that lots of folks shoot standard shells in 2.5 inch chambers. He admits to doing it without a second's thought. While I own a few new guns...a Browning Gold Fusion, an Ithaca 500, I prefer to shoot hundred year old guns. I have only lengthened the chamber on one old model 12 that is almost a century old. The rest I just shoot.

Funny you should mention that. I recently sent my PB 10ga Damascus to a gunsmith to open up my 2 5/8" chamber to 2 7/8" & to open the chokes up to IC & M. Still waiting to hear from him.

Nicholas, why would you lengthen your chambers? A 2 5/8" shell will hold as much shot as you will ever want in a ten gauge bird gun.

This way I can buy 2 7/8" shells which are cheaper and more readily available than 2 5/8". I can still use the shorter shells if I need to.