Chamber Length
Dave; Parker Pages editorially advertised for a citation to verify that chambers were cut shorter than shells in Parker's era. Ed Muderlak found a 1933 article based on 1932 work that we scanned and reprinted. That article was written by a person with good industry credentials but covered only one gauge and shell length; 3 inch 410 in 2 1/2 chambers. The three inch shells produced better patterns in the 2 1/2 inch chambers, but the author noted an inch of case was burned away in the process.
We will put out the call again in the next issue, in search of such information printed in the pre 1929 era. We know that Parker Bros was a member of the industrial fore runner to SAAMI in the 1920's when they began stamping "overload proved" on barrels, but I have not been able to obtain a copy of those standards through SAAMI.
I have always considered those tables in the Remington Salesmen's Catalog to be a typo/transposition when I have my editorial hat off. The current SAAMI standard clearly calls for short shells in long chambers. After reading your post I measured a few modern barrels with the equipment I used to measure the Super Fox. My Rem 3200 labelled "Trap" measures 2 7/8 inches; my ca 1985 Ruger Red Label marked 3 inch measures 3 3/16 inches, and my 11 87 trap barrel measures about 3 inches.
I have seen some anecdotal accounts that M21's were short chambered in the 1930's but have no physical evidence to verify this.
I obtained my first hunting license in 1950. My hunter training instructor warned us that "low brass" shells were no longer shorter and lighter as they were in the time before WW2, and that if we were told by an elder that low brass was ok in old single shots and break open guns, we should have the individual guns examined before using "modern" ammunition. I became a hunter safety training instructor in 1964, and my NRA correspondence course contained the same warning and information.
I also note in Stadt, that Winchester changed the designation of the M1893 to M1897 when they adopted the 2 3/4 chamber. Stadt also notes that 2 3/4 inch shells were labelled "Repeater" on the box.
We (Parker Pages) and I would really like to clear this up. A copy of that 1920's industry standard would be a good arbitrator.
Best, Austin
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