This thread will be multi-faceted, so bear with me on these subjects.
Ithaca shotgun subject gun is a Grade 2 1910 Flues with 2 7/8 inch chambers -excellent condition -90% case color remaining..
In the mid-1920s, AH Fox and LC Smith (Hunter Arms) responded to
John Olin's development of Super X 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells by offering the HE Super Fox and Smith Long Range waterfowl 3 inch guns. Later the Fox Sterlingworth Waterfowl with HE grade barrels.
Parker Bros. also offered early their 2 7/8 inch chambering in all their grades. (Parker's research for their shotguns recommended 2 7/8 in chambers to best handle progressive powder in 3 in shells.)
A recent thread in the Ithaca Owners site was very conservative in recommended loadings for the fluid steel Krupp barrels in another 1910 2 7/8 in chambered Flues shotgun.
I do not fully accept this. Only 14 years between this Ithaca gun and the emergence of the Smith and Fox heavy 3 in waterfowl guns. Since both Parker and Ithaca made the guns for (2 7/8 in) 3inch shells, one would think they could handle at least lead shot in the 3 in shells of the the 1920s. Maybe even the Winchester lead shot high brass 3 in shells of the 70s-80s-and 90s. NOT a steady diet of them, but occasional turkey or goose hunts.
Sherman Bell-Double Gun Journal- did amazing experiments with damascus twist steel barrels and progressive smokeless-so why not Krupp steel barrels in an Ithaca?
Open for reasoned logical comment.
