Parker letter
 

Got the letter on my hammer gun (1891, 12ga, 28" laminated barrels full/full) and I thought it was interesting that it shipped with a note to "shoot #1 shot". Anyone have some experience with this?
I could only think that Parker may have meant to proscribe larger shot, but I'm unsure as to why unless it's a pressure issue.
Any thoughts?

It would have been ordered to be choked for #1 shot - it wouldn't have been made as a stock gun with that shot size instruction. It's intended use may have been as a fox, coyote, raccoon, or other four-footed pests or fur-bearers gun. Possibly for geese but that's kinda large shot for geese I would think.





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Oh, that makes, sense, thanks! #1 is big for most small game but who knows? Maybe they just wanted to be sure:)

I have never seen that instruction before. Where was it shipped to?

It was shipped to a Mr. Calley in Bristol, NH. I had the date mixed up, too; it was 1894, not that that makes a difference to the shot instruction.

Neat stuff! I'll bet Dean is correct and the gun was intended for (probably) fox hunting.

Porky Gun?

It makes me wonder what shot size Everell Harnden used in the 16 gauge “Little Gun” from “that dusty little plant down in Meriden” when he tumbled a fox at 60 yards..... “Geerifus Ev, she don’t weigh nothin!”





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Hah, well we're getting wild hogs here in Virginia now... But I think I'll stick with something other than two shots from a scatter gun for that :):)

would this no one shot be about the size of bb shot...on the back of old shotgun boxes it gave the size of shot for game no2 and bb shot was recommended fo turkey and fox geese...i have several boxes of old ammo but no box that i have has no one shot listed on them....charlie