I used to own a Model 1894 BE Grade 12-bore and a very high-conditioned Model 1900 16-bore ejector, both with Damascus barrels. I carried them many miles chasing beagle packs back in the day; both were solid inside and out and I considered them both to be very well made guns. Don't remember the loads used in the 16-bore, but they would have been hand-loads kept under 8000psi. In the 12-bore (a first year production 28" gun) I used Gamebore 2" shells loaded with 11/16 ounce of #6 shot; and I did so because I found them very effective in the tight cover being hunted, they patterned well, and primarily because they were light and compact. I've no idea as to the pressures of those Gamebore shells and didn't care. But carrying those little cartridges was equivalent to carrying .410 shells, which made a huge difference when kicking thick brush; and even more so after putting a few bunnies in the old game bag. My only complaint with either gun was that the squared edges of the larger 12-bore frame made the gun less comfortable to carry in comparison to some of the other period double guns I used.
