2 3/4" Guns
 

When did Parker start shipping 12 bores with 2 3/4" chambers?

Not to sound too flippant, but whenever a customer requested one. Even the late Remington era specification sheets shown on pages 164 to 169 of The Parker Story show a 2 5/8 inch long chamber intended for 2 3/4 inch shells. I find the Parker hang tags I've managed to save pictures of somewhat confusing. Here is one from 1902 --

Attachment 88168

What does it mean Length of Shell 2 5/8 Inches and then Use Shells 2 3/4 Long? This tag shows that the gun was targeted with a 1 1/4 ounce load. In those days one could get factory 1 1/4 ounce 12-gauge loads in a 2 5/8 inch shell. Between 1906 and 1907 our North American ammunition manufacturers quit offering 1 1/4 ounce 12-gauge loads in the 2 5/8 inch shell. From then on one needed to go to the 2 3/4 inch or longer 12-gauge shells for 1 1/4 ounce loads.

This 1920 vintage hang-tag shows this 12-gauge gun was targeted with a 1 1/8 ounce load and states Use Shells 2 5/8 Long.

Attachment 88169

Wonder how many 2 3/4 inch shells 189153 has digested since 1920? Here is a similar tag from 1924 --

Attachment 88170

Here is a 1926 vintage hang-tag showing Use Shells 2 3/4 Long and the gun is targeted with a 1 1/4 ounce load --

Attachment 88171

Finally here is an Ilion era hang-tag for a fairly light 12-gauge VH that states Chambered for 2 3/4 inch shell.

Attachment 88172

I have a 2 7/8 “ chambered Parker hammer gun from 1881. It is a light , 1 frame 12ga.

So the answer to the poster’s question is: At least as early as 1881.

But all these issues are addressed in The Parker Story , which is must reading for anybody serious about the Parker gun.