Posted by Dick Miller on May 21, 2008, 10:52 am, in reply to "3 inch chambers"
Martin, 3" chambers on 20's are non-existent, according to the two authors of Smith books. However, "never say never" is a commonly-used phrase among Smith collectors. Two possible scenarios exist if you own a 3" chambered gun---- 1) someone lengthened your gun's chambers from 2-1/2 or 2-3/4" at a later date, or 2) it was done at the factory at the buyers' request, in which case there should be a football-shaped stamp on the barrel flats stating "chambers, 3 inches" if done after 1925. A Cody letter will (hopefully) help you to determine which is the case. In any event, 3" chambers does not equate to 3" magnum by today's standards, so be careful with your shell selection. As to uniqueness, all known factory-chambered 3" guns are built on the "R" frame.