3inch Shot shells

[Horsefeathers]

When did 3 inch shot shells come into use? Trying to determine the age of a Shot gun with 3 Inch chambers?  Horsefeathers.

[.Dirty-.30]

You'll do much better to research your brand and model of gun than to try and date it by the use of longer than standard length shotgun shells.  "Magnum length shotgun shells began in the late 1800s.  Its a thread unto itself for the whens and which and why of it all.  Tell us about your gun.....     .DT

[SHOOTALL]

Before the laws restricting shot guns to 10 ga or smaller most of the time to shoot a larger load shooters went with a larger bore. I think it was 1937 that the law took effect. After that as shot , powder and wads improved it was found a 3 inch 12 ga could do what a standard 10 ga could do and the lighter gun could be used for more types of hunting or shooting. Fox made a super fox that had beckner bbls with 3 inch chambers back in the 20's I think. Check out Nash Buckingham 's writing he used one called Bo Whoop or such. Bo Whoop was made in 1927 .