Calvin,
I'm not sure about the chamber length's through the years. I believe 12 gauge Parkers ranged from 2 1/2" to 2 3/4". I think many of the old girls were 2 9/16". I'm really trying to bait the knowledgable ones into responding on this. Sherman Bell did a lot of research reguarding pressures caused by black powder, smokeless powder and shells longer than chamber. He stated that a 2 3/4" shell in a 2 1/2" chamber would only jump pressure about 300 psi. I shoot appropriate pressure and velocity 2 3/4" smokeless loads through my 1881 Lifter 12 gauge Parker with Twist barrels on a very regular basis. I'm talking about 100+ rounds at sporting clays weekly. There are many here that do the same and many here that would not shoot a Twist or Damascus gun for all the tea in China.
Harry
Here is a picture of mine at work.....
|