Pigeon loads were 1 1/4 ounce and Pigeon Guns had to be under eight pounds for many years, so 7 pounds 15 ounces were certainly adequate.
The Baker Gun Quarterly, Volume 5, No. 3, May 1900 -- One little article on the weights of Trap/Pigeon guns used by the likes of Capt. A.W. Money (8 pounds), C.W. Budd (7 pounds 14 ounces), H.D. Bates (7 pounds 13 ounces), R.O. Heikes (7 pounds 15 ounces), J.S. Fanning (7 pounds 15 ounces), W.R. Crosby (7 pounds 12 ounces), and Col. A.G. Courtney (7 pounds 14 ounces). There was no indication or claim that any of these shooters used a Baker Gun, and I know Capt. Money is normally listed shooting a Parker Bros. and Col. Courtney normally shot a Remington. Several of the others I know pimped for whoever was picking up the tab. At one point in time W.R. Crosby did some fine shooting with a Baker.
After the progressive burning powder, high velocity, loads came out, I'm not sure what weight they thought adequate.
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