Generally speaking Parker Bros. policy was to hold the chamber about 1/8 inch shorter then the intended shell. So, by Parker Bros. standards a 2 7/8 inch chamber was intended for 3-inch shells. On the other hand, Parker Bros. was well known for doing what the customer ordered, so very likely if the customer specified "3-inch chambers" that is what he/she got; but if the customer specified "chamber for 2 7/8 inch shell" the Brothers P. would provide a 2 3/4 inch chamber.
Back in those pre WW-I days 20-gauge paper shells were available in 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch lengths. Normally, the factory loaded longer shells of those days carried more and better wadding for a better gas seal, not a heavier payload. The first instance of a heavier payload I've found is around the 1912/13 time frame when factory loaded 3-inch 20-gauge shells got a slightly heavier powder charge -- 2 1/2 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounces of shot. The "standard" 20-gauge load then was 2 1/4 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounce of shot. These were the shells for the famous Widgeon Duck Club Parker Bros. guns and the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. 3-inch 20-gauge pump.
This first year 2-frame GH-Grade heavy 12-gauge was back to Meriden some time after 1918 and got a set of 32-inch long Vulcan Steel, 3-inch chambered 20-gauge barrels. This gun weighs 8 pounds 4.5 ounces with the 20-gauge barrels in place.
There is a lot of information on "long range" smallbores in Western Field magazine in a long running series by Edwin Hedderly, the editor, in the 1911/12 time frame. Our own Kevin McCormack was well into transcribing Hedderly's series with an eye to publishing, but I guess he must have too many vintage cases to repair. Hedderly got 32-inch 16- and 20-gauge A1-Specials in excahnge for six months of Parker Bros. advertising in the magazine. He also had 32-inch DHE 20- and 28-gauges.
Last edited by Dave Noreen; 03-09-2010 at 12:39 PM..
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