That is a very early VH-Grade Parker Bros., early 1899. At that time this new lowest priced Parker double was offered "only in standard gauges, barrel lengths and stock dimensions." While there were 3-inch 12-gauge shells available at that time, from the ammunition factories they were no heavier loaded than the the heaviest 2 3/4 inch shells (3 1/2 drams of bulk smokeless powder, or 28 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Ballistite or Infallible and 1 1/4 ounce of shot). Their appeal was more and better wadding which many serious Pigeon shooters believed to be an advantage. Parker Bros. would chamber new guns for any length shell the purchaser requested, but the guns weren't marked in any way to show this chamber length. The "modern" progressive burning powder 3-inch 12-gauge throwing 1 3/8 ounce of shot was introduced by Western Cartridge Co. in the mid-1920s put up in their 3-inch Record hull. The 3-inch "Magnum" 12-gauge shell throwing 1 5/8 ounce of shot was introduced by Winchester and Western in 1935 along with the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun. Very late Remington era Parker guns were marked with gauge and shell length on the left side of the barrel lug.
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