doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com American 28 gauge

The first small-frame Harrington & Richardson single barrel was the Model 1905 --



which took down by means of a removable hinge pin. My .44 Caliber --





The Model 1905 was a scaled down version of the H & R Model 1900. H & R redesigned their larger gun to take-down by means of a snap-on/-off forearm and introduced it is the Model 1908. Then in 1915 they did the same to the little gun and called it the Model 1915 --

Here is a pretty nice Ithaca NID 28-gauge for comparison to the Flues above --

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100755595

or this one from the recent Julia's auction --

http://jamesdjulia.com/item/3534-394/

No Nitro Specials in 28 gauge. Looking at some of those weights on those NID it appears that Ithaca was using a 20 gauge frame for their 28 gauge guns.

However, here are two Spaniards with comparable weight,

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100736132


http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100760943

MOPenn,
Thanks.
Treb may be right about the 20ga frame size even on the Flues. Mine is 6lbs 1oz..

On the Flues 28-gauge guns I've had experience with the rib extension bolting is different then on the larger bore Flues guns. My 1915-vintage No. 1 Special 28-gauge --



The rib extension used on larger bore Flues Models --



As to the NID frames, the actual box part of the frame is within a file stroke or two of the same on all NIDs from the Super-Ten down to the .410-bore. The height and width of the standing breech and the firing pin spacing changes. The height and width of the standing breech and the firing pin spacing is the same on the .410-bores and the 28-gauges. Also there is the taller standing breech frame in each gauge for the vent rib guns. A Super-Ten and a 28-gauge, both No. 2s --

Here is my H&R 28 gauge. Almost embarrassed to post it compared to your Ithaca!!! Some checkered the forend/stock.

You guys just have to keep reminding me that I do not own a 28ga. Never have either; well excepting an El Cheapo Spanish muzzle loader I bought for some reason and passed along without ever firing it...Geo

"IF" a 28 gauge or .410 Bore weighs as much as a 20 gauge I see only disadvantages to the smaller bore, no advantages what-so-ever. If one shoots only factory loads the 20 is certainly more economical & if one reloads the 20 can be loaded down & the gun is far more versatile. Maybe economy or versatility doesn't mean much to a lot of folks, but I'm a Pore Boy.

I agree there, What's the sense of carrying a six pound 28 gauge shotgun around when you can just as easily carry a six pound 20 or 16 gauge.

Find a dedicated frame 28 gauge.

I love my 28's but do agree unless they are scaled down to a true 28 frame size you end up with what is a underperforming 20 which weighs more than a 20 would weigh. Just like a 16 built on a 12 ga. frame is too heavy a 28 built on a 20 frame is as well. Worst are the 28 barrels put on a 12 frame. Fat boat paddles. Face it you could do it all with a 12 fa. if you wanted to. Perhaps a light British gun shooting 1 ounce or less loads, a 2" as your super light weight option and a waterfowler for heavy lifting. But where would the fun be in owning just three guns?

I do like the Ithaca 37 28 fa. which is built on a proper sized receiver. In fact my fat fingers and thumbs barely fit to load the gun and could never do it on a proper .410 size gun. Perhaps I could twist my pinkie to load it but no other way. If they built one I have to find out.