Originally Posted By: Drew Hause
Indeed

October 19, 1895 Sporting Life
http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1895/VOL_26_NO_04/SL2604014.pdf
Dr. Williamson, of Milwaukee, Wis., has just purchased a new gun of more than ordinary proportions. The Doctor was quite taken with Carver's Cashmore gun, having long barrels and shooting a big load in a 3 1/4 inch shell; but desiring to give the American gunmakers a chance he ordered a gun from the Lefever Arms Company, of Syracuse, N. Y. but at the same time rather doubted their ability to make such a weapon as he desired. However, the gun was furnished and Dr. Williamson killed 79 out of 80 live birds on one trial, and 74 out of 75 targets, part being doubles.
The gun is a Lefever, 12-gauge, weighing 8 1/4 pounds, 32-inch barrels, and chambered for a 3 1/4 inch shell, and guaranteed to stand 4 1/2 Drams of “E.C.” powder, which is the amount of powder which he uses.
(1 1/4 oz. with 3 3/4 Dram “Schultze” was about 14,000 psi. “Schultze” pressures were somewhat lower than “E.C.”)


This is just my opinion, but I would caution anyone reading this old account to question it's technical accuracy.

A diet of proof loads guarantees a short lifespan for a shotgun.

A professional competitor can dispose of his tool at any time. It doesn't represent a good path for a normal person to follow.

Shooting 75 proof level loads in an afternoon from an 8 1/4 lb gun, would leave a mark.

It would be very hard to keep the gun from hammering itself to disappointment if used as described.


It would be interesting to know if this cannon is still out there in someone's collection. I'd like to see how beat up it is.

Out there doing it best I can.