Generally speaking a 1908 vintage 12-gauge Parker Bros. double would have had 2 5/8 inch chambers, intended for 2 3/4 inch shells.
At that time, the U.S. ammunition manufacturers offered loaded 12-gauge paper shells in 2 5/8, 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch lengths. In the 1890s and early 1900s you could get up to 1 1/4 ounce loads in any of these length 12-gauge shells, but between about 1905 and 1908 they phased out offering 1 1/4 ounce loads in the 2 5/8 inch shells. From then on they only offered up to 1 1/8 ounce loads in the 2 5/8 inch case and one had to go to the 2 3/4 inch or longer shells for 1 1/4 ounce of shot.
All of the repeating shotguns being introduced in those days were made for 12-gauge 2 3/4 inch shells -- Winchester Model 1897, Remington Autoloading Shotgun, Remington Repeating Shotgun, J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. No. 520, etc.
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