While this may not explain all of the 20 ga.guns that appear to have been made for pigeon shooting,I will attach a portion of
Page 74 of "The Heyday of the Shotgun" by David baker.It comments on the practice in England of also trapping and using sparrows and starlings as live trap targets.I have also read references to
"Lancashire Sparrow Guns" which appear to have been long barreled,heavily choked 20 bores of around 7 lbs.I have seen a few and currently own one by Thomas Horsley.A 20 bore bar-in wood hammergun with 30" heavily choked barrels and weighing about 7 lbs.It was built for the Marquis of Abergavenny,who apparently was an enthusiastic live pigeon shot. It appears that 20's were a requirement for this version of the sport and it was popular in the North of England where some serious wagering took place behind the local watering hole. Maybe some of our Anglo friends can comment
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