Confusing Hang-Tag

[Researcher]

The hang-tag for a high condition 1925-vintage 12-gauge, 30-inch, Trojan that has been on the market at least a couple of times since I've been recording things is a bit confusing. It states the gun was targeted with a load of 3 1/8 drams of Bulk Smokeless Powder pushing 1 1/4 ounce of #7 Tatham Chilled Shot, a popular trap load of the time.

TARGET 12-gauge, 2 3-4 inch, #7 1-2 LUBKOTE, Handicap Trap Loads 01.jpg

Super-Trap Load, Lubaloy, DuPont Smokeless, two-piece 03 full sold 04 Dec. 2020.jpg

The tag also states "Use Shells 2 5/8 Long."

213855 12-gauge, 2 5-8-inch, 1 1-4 ounce, cropped.jpg

Our U.S. ammunition manufacturers quit putting up 1 1/4 ounce 12-gauge loads in the 2 5/8-inch case during the 1907 year. From then on the 1 1/4 ounce loads only came in 2 3/4-inch or longer cases.

[Bill Murphy]

Parker Brothers obviously had a good supply of 2 5/8" 1 1/4 ounce loads in stock for pattern testing after 1907. It apparently lasted until 1925 or later.

[Researcher]

I guess I posted above before I had actually completed it. I meant to include that the other 12-gauge hang-tags which show being targeted with 1 1/4 ounce loads state "Use Shells 2 3/4 Long." On the 12-gauge hang-tags I've saved pictures of that show being targeted with 1 1/8 ounce loads it is about half and half "Use Shells 2 5/8 Long" or "Use Shells 2 3/4 Long."

[Bill Murphy]

The fellows doing the testing realized that it was near impossible to blow up a Parker, no matter what shells they used.

[Drew Hause]

Dave: I've got a note that a 1891 12g Parker was patterned with 1 1/4 oz. No. 7 and 42 grains (3 1/4 Dr. Eq.) DuPont Bulk.

Bruce Day posted a 1900 Parker hang tag stating that 12g 2 5/8” chambered guns were patterned at 40 yds. in a 30” circle using a 2 5/8” shell with 1 1/8 oz. No. 7 chilled shot and 40 grains (3 1/4 Dr. Eq.) of DuPont Bulk Smokeless powder.

DuPont Bulk was originally 40 grain = 3 Dram Eq. and "New DuPont Bulk" was 37 gr. = 3 Dr. Eq.

At the turn-of-the-century, W. R. Crosby, professional rep of the Baker Gun Co., then Hunter Arms, and later Parker was using 44 grains “E.C.” powder (3 1/8 Dram), 1 1/4 ounces No. 7 1/2 shot in first barrel and 1 1/4 ounces No. 7 in second barrel, loaded in Leader shells by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

U.M.C. Arrow Trap loads. I think they were still 2 5/8" then