The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length

Posted by Douglas Precourt on April 14, 2026, 6:10 pm

I have a 10 bore Elsie from 1884-5. It is currently having its barrels black & white blued. In the meantime, I am preparing to load some 10-gauge shells to use in it, but have come across loading recipes for 2 3/4", 2 7/8", 3 1/2". Since I can't access the barrels right now, do you know if the chambers would most likely be 2 3/4" or 2 7/8" during this 1884-1885 timeframe?
Thanks
-Doug

Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length

Posted by Drew Hause on April 14, 2026, 6:39 pm, in reply to "LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length"

From about 1870 paper and brass case 10 gauge shells were 2 7/8".
Lighter loads were available, but the standard load was 1 1/4 oz. with 4 drams black powder.

"Outing: Sport, Adventure, Travel, Fiction", 1889
Al Bandle, of Cincinnati, on Christmas Day, 1888 defeated the famous shot, Captain A. H. Bogardus, by killing 100 live birds straight to the Captain's equally remarkable record of 95. Bogardus shot a 12-gauge L.C. Smith gun, hammerless, 7 lbs. 12 oz. weight and shot 4 drams American Wood powder in his first barrel, 1 1/4 oz. No. 8 shot in first and 1 1/4 oz. No. 7 in second, backed up with 4 1/4 drams Laflin and Rand Orange Lightning powder.
Bandle shot the same make of gun, 10 gauge, and used, first barrel, 4 drams Wood powder, second, 4 drams Laflin and Rand “F.F.F. extra” powder, No. 7 shot.

Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length

Posted by Steve Arnett on April 16, 2026, 6:41 pm, in reply to "LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length"

Best of luck as you start your adventure loading for the 10 ga.!

Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length

Posted by Douglas Precourt on April 19, 2026, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length"

Drew, thanks for your response and delightful story!

Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length

Posted by Douglas Precourt on April 19, 2026, 7:48 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith - 10 Gauge - Normal Cartridge Chamber Length"

Thanks Steve.

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