2 5/8" CHAMBERS IN A 16 GA

[Bob Jurewicz]

I just reread my PGCA Letter on a 1922 BHE 1 Frame 16 GA. It states Chamber Lenght of 2 5/8". That struck me as odd and unusual.
Any thoughts and/or insight??
Thank you!
Bob Jurewicz

[Bill Murphy]

Probably meant for use of a shell longer than the standard 2 9/16" shell. Dave Noreen can tell you whether any 2 3/4" shells were available, or if the 3" is the only possibility.

[Kevin McCormack]

I never owned any 16 ga. Parkers chambered for that length shell, but AH Foxes of that gauge within that production era show up not infrequently with that length chamber.

[Researcher]

While the 2 9/16-inch was the "standard" length for 16-gauge shells here in North America up into the 1930s, our ammunition companies offered 2 3/4-, 2 7/8- & 3-inch 16-gauge shells. The Remington era specification sheet show a 2 5/8-inch chamber depth for 2 3/4-inch shells.

Remington Specification Sheet GHE, 16-gauge highlighted.jpg

The 1927 Peters Cartridge Co. catalog shows they would put up their High Velocity loads in any length shell --

HIGH VELOCITY loads 1927, 16-gauge highlighted.jpg