Up to the late 1890’s 30 inches was generally considered the standard length for the barrels on 12-bore game gun, although I am sure there are plenty of exceptions.
This was viewed as being the length required to achieve a complete burn from a black powder 12 bore cartridge, thus reducing the smoke and flash as well as moving it a bit further from your face.
With the adoption of smokeless powders less length was needed for combustion, and 28 inches became regarded as the standard with XXV (Churchill), 26, 27 and 29 inch being variously offered for promotional reasons.
There is Churchill XXV 12 bore 3” Wildfowler in Holts next sale.
The present trend to longer barrels seems to be due to the feeling that they are more effective on high driven pheasants.
Last edited by Parabola; 02/23/22 01:52 PM.
