When your Trojan left Meriden in 1914, it most likely had chambers about 2 7/16 inches deep intended for the "standard" 2 9/16 inch 16-gauge shells of the day that were loaded with 7/8 or 1 ounce of shot. The longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch 16-gauge shells of that time carried more and better wadding, but still no more than 1 ounceof shot.
The first 16-gauge shells loaded with progressive burning smokeless powder and 1 1/8 ounces of shot were introduced about 1923, by Western Cartridge Co. and were put up in the old 2 9/16 inch case. When Remington Arms Co., Inc. introduced their Model 11 and "The Sportsman" in 16-gauge, they were chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. Remington introduced a special 2 3/4 inch version of their progressive burning powder 16-gauge Nitro Express load which was in a 2 9/16 inch case. They called this 2 3/4 inch 16-gauge 2 3/4 inch progressive burning powder load the Auto Express and they sped the load up just a bit to 3 1/4 drams equiv. and 1 1/8 ounce while the 2 9/16 inch 3 drams equiv.and 1 1/8 ounce. American loading companies finally phased out the 2 9/16 inch 16-gauge shells in the early 1960s as they were going to plastic shells.
|