Posted by Researcher on March 23, 2007, 4:17 pm, in reply to "20 gauge chambers"
I would certainly think so. I know both Parker Bros. and A.H. Fox Gun Co. made 20-gauge doubles chambered for 3-inch shells. Most of the old double gun manufacturers would chamber longer then standard at the customer's request. But, remember, the famous 3-inch 20-gauge shells of pre WW-I days only carried a 1/4 dram equiv more powder then a standard 20-gauge 2 1/2 inch shell, and still only 7/8 ounce of shot. They were not the Olin's post WW-II 3-inch 20-gauge magnums with 1 1/8, then 1 3/16 and finally 1 1/4 ounce of shot!! The primary purpose of longer then "standard" shells in the pre WW-I era was not a heavier load, but more and better wadding which provided a better gas seal. In that same pre-WW-I time period the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. brought out their pump gun made for the 3-inch 20-gauge shells. But as I said, the load for the 3-inch 20-gauge of that time was 2 1/2 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounce of shot, the same as 20-gauge skeet load of today.