Generally I've only researched from about 1891 when I find Union Metallic Cartridge Co. beginning to offer factory loaded smokeless powder shotgun shells. Looking at an 1884 UMC catalogue I see them offering brass 12-gauge cases from 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 inch length and paper 12-gauge NPEs from 2 5/8 inch to 3 1/4 inch. Going even farther back to an 1880 catalogue they offered paper 12-gauge cases from 2 5/8 inch to 3 1/4 inch. I don't have access to anything from the 1870s that shows shotgun cases but 1869 the just offered 10- and 12-gauge brass cases and no mention of length.
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