The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on September 30, 2020, 7:39 pm

I have the option to purchase a 16 gauge field manufactured in 1948 according to the serial #. My question is this. What is the typical chamber length for this gun. A gunsmith says no more than a 2.25" shell but that doesn't seem right to me.a 2.75" inserted into the barrel fit fine even with the action closed. I thinking I could fire at least a 2.50" shell. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells

Posted by Charlie Brooks on September 30, 2020, 9:59 pm, in reply to "16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells"

Steve,if this gun is indeed a 1948 gun,it should have 2.750 chambers unless it was ordered something different.It should have the chamber length stamped on the bottom side of the barrels 2.750. Best of luck,Charlie.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 1, 2020, 6:24 am, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells"

Charlie,the serial # is FW 40139. I think 1948 is correct but I might be wrong. Is the date correct?

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells

Posted by Louis Rotelli on October 1, 2020, 8:16 am, in reply to "16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells"

Steve, Standard lengths of 16ga. shells were always 2 9/16" which translates to 2.562 it is highly unlikely that a 16ga. American made gun would be anything else.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on October 1, 2020, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells"
Edited by board administrator October 1, 2020, 9:06 am

If it was an FwS serial number, it would have been made in 1948. However, FwS 40139 was assigned to a 12 gauge Field Grade with 30-inch barrels. Fw 40139 was recorded as a 16 gauge Field Grade with 28-inch barrels. It was made in the early 1920s and would have had 2 9/16-inch chambers.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 1, 2020, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Thanks for helping me out with this one. One last question.what would be the approiate shell for this gun then? A 2"or a 2.50". Once again thanks guys for your help and guidance.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 1, 2020, 12:25 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

According to a gunsmith both barrels are full choke. Would this be common also?

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Will Favre on October 1, 2020, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Steve,

Look up RST Ammo and they make Vintage shells for your 2-9/16” chambers. Shoot only 2-1/2 “ shells low pressure. 2-3/4” 16 gauge would create excessive recoil and could cause cracking of the stock at the wrist and side plates. Ask me how I know!

Will

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Arnett on October 2, 2020, 10:40 am, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Full/Full was a very common combination in that era. I earned the nickname "Smedley Smoker" with my 1946 16 ga.! I have since had the chokes opened to IC/MOD.
I agree with Will Farve that RST 2 1/2" shells are the appropriate choice. They have a fairly large selection of 2 1/2" 16 ga. loads, for everything from clays to waterfowl.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 2, 2020, 11:52 am, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Thanks guys for all your responses. All of them where helpful in answering some of my questions.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 2, 2020, 3:13 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Jim, I know everything you spoke of is true except in this case. The shop owner had his gunsmith to measure each chamber and both chambered @ 2.25". Shop owner said the gunsmith told him it was probably a special order for a quail gun.oh well the search continues.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Drew Hause on October 2, 2020, 6:24 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Dave Noreen has a nice summary of U.S. shotshells here
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16249

No U.S. maker offered shorter than 2 9/16" 16g loads in 1928. British 16g were available in 2 1/2"; but not 2".

There is an easy way to measure chamber length using a 3" x 5" index card, rolled lengthwise, and slid into the chamber. It will partially unroll and expand to the chamber diameter. Gently advance the card until it stops at the end of the chamber (where the forcing cone constriction starts), use a pencil to mark the card at the breech end of the barrel, and repeat the steps to see if it always comes to same spot. Then use a ruler to measure the length marked on the card.
The chamber must be clean, and it works best with a new 3” X 5” card.

Please let us know what you find.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 2, 2020, 6:54 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

Thank you. I will.

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on November 7, 2020, 1:51 pm, in reply to "16 gauge chambered for 2.25" shells"

So here's the deal. I made a chamber gauge myself measuring .754 and 5" long to check the chamber. It would go to depth of 2 3/4 " . Apparently the previous owner had the chamber lengthend. My question is this. I need someone to check barrel thickness and see if it ok to use low pressure shells. Any suggestions?

Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells

Posted by Steve Gregg on October 28, 2021, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: 16 gauge chambered for 2 9/16-inch shells"

2 9/16" is correct. My next question is this. I need a recommendation for a qualified gunsmith to make sure all is well before shooting. Sorry for the late response but my primary hobby is fly-fishing. BTW in love in East TN. Thanks Steve

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