Can anyone here tell me if the AJ Aubrey/Meriden 16 gauge frames differ from the 12 gauge frames? IE, could one join/fit a set of 16 gauge barrels to a 12 gauge frame?

I have yet to lay eyes on a 16 gauge Aubrey, much less a 20, but I do know they are out there.

Thanks,
Shane

Shane,

I don't know if all the 16 gauge Aubrey/Meriden guns had scaled frames, but I have owned two and both were a little narrower across the breech than my 12 gauge guns.

Firing pin spacing measures 1.090 on a 16 (S28 S.N. 70163) and 1.160 on a 12 (K28 S.N. 38419) for about 0.070 difference. Fence width is also 0.100 narrower at 2.220 and 2.320. The standing breech is about 0.060 shorter too.

The 16 gauge guns do show up occasionally, but like you, I have never seen a 20.

Hope that helps,
Steve

Thanks Steve, that helps a good bit.

I know where there is a 16 for sale and I may try to make a deal on it. But I have never seen one in my hands and I haven't even seen or heard of a 20 although I think there are some in the serial number listings that PeteM has put together.

They did make 20ga as a special order item. Although there is at one catalog that lists a 20ga. I have documented a mere handful. I am also told that they made at 2 or 3 three barrel sets *(12, 16, 20).

Pete

Wow, the three barrel set would be a sight to see huh?

While a three gauge set would be nice from a collector viewpoint I see little practical use for them (other than a Skeet set) which is undoubtedly why there are so few of them. When you put smaller gauge barrels on a larger gun you either wind up with a heavier gun or one with an unpleasing appearance due to the steep taper down to the forward parts with an unnecessarily wide spacing of the barrels.

Indeed 2-Piper. Little logical use... but that doesn't mean they aren't fun to look at and just to know that such a (relatively) small company produced so few... it's just neat.