Choke Variances...

[Joe from MO]

So, I picked up a choke mearuring tool.....

Checking several of my guns, noticed the following.

1926 Parker Trojan, IM/F.
1927 Ithaca NID marked M/F is exact to the gauge as M/F.
1947 Model 12 marked F is exact to the gauge.
1926 AH Fox 16ga , per the gauge, it's IM/XF
1940 LC Smith 16ga IM/XF.
1947 Lefever Nitro marked F/F is F/F.

So, were chokes a bit tighter than todays in the 20's for Fox and Parker?
Or, is the R barrel of the Trojan likely F originally, then someone had it changed to IM? That doesn't make much sense, if you were opening it, why not go to M or IC?

Also, I have some removeable choke tubes from newer guns, that the gauge is way off on per how the chokes are marked.... Original Browing Invectors are true to gauge, but the Invector Plus, the F, shows as M, and the M, the gauge completely slides through it.

I read a review on this gauge where one guy swore it was off, because he had guns that he thought were full or Mod, that showed as Cyl, but the gauge is dead on for my Ithaca, and Winchester vintage guns..... It was all I could do to reply back to the guy that his guns were maybe not what he thought they were....

Mostly curious about the Parker, as I thought all Trojans were F/F or M/F, but my right barrel is definitely IM on this gauge.