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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,226 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,226 Likes: 3 |
I recently handled a Maynard Model 1859 single barrel shotgun which was originally made for separate-primed .55 cal shotshells (and had a .40 cal rifle barrel as part of the set).
Since .55 is about 28 guage, I wondered if Dr. Maynard (MY favorite dentist), originated the 28 as a cartridge shotgun? Or was it available in pinfire or some other cartridge type before the early 1860s, perhaps in Europe?
I know there were .54 and .55 muzzle loaders galore in both rifled and smoothbore forms, but I'm talking early breechloader shotguns.
Anybody know anything of the early history of the 28?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,292
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,292 |
Historically Parker always gets the nod for coming out with the first 28 gauge as their brain child, introduced in 1903, the first load was 5/8 oz of shot.......therefore American roots for the 28 gauge I would say......
Quote Jack O'Conner - The Shotgun Book - 1949:
"And the .410 is a direct decendant of the American 44-40. At first the standard 44/40 case was used, bottle neck and all, and the shot was in a paper container. Then 2-inch straight brass cases were used, then 2 inch paper cases, then 2 1/2 paper cases. At one time the shell was known as the .44 XL.......It was loaded with 3/8, then 1/2 ounce in 2 1/2 inch cases. Then in the early 30's Winchester-Western pioneered the 3" .410 shell with 3/4 ounce of shot and brought out the model 42 Winchester pump shotgun for it".......
End Quote......
Best,
Doug
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 787 Likes: 45
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 787 Likes: 45 |
Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding this post but I have encountered more than a few pre-1896 English hammergun in 28g so surely Parker can't have invented it in 1903.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,768 Likes: 115 |
All I can add to this is that I have an Eley pin-fire 28 with a headstamp that dates it between 1866 and 1874.
The .410 really has its origins in the 12mm. Walkingstick gun cartridge. I have some brass ones marked 12mm. W.S., 12mm. Canne. (French) and others marked 12mm./.410 on the headstamp. .410 Pin-fire was also available from Eley's before 1874.
I have also found a reproduction of an Eley advert dated 1857 that lists pin-fire .410 and 28 bore and it seems that they were also available for the Lancaster base-fire shotgun so they may be quite early. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
I dont think the .410 was derived from the .44XL...
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859 |
Up until recently I had a British .410 hammergun. It was proofed .410 for 2-3/4" shells. The other thing odd about it was that the upon firing, the shell case would swell enough that I couldn't fit it into my other .410 which was a Nitro Special. The British hammergun had proofs and reproofs up to 1989 for the latest. I always figured it was intially a .44XL.
Steve
Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
I dont think the .410 was derived from the .44XL... You are correct. The 44xl was an American dead end. It gave way to the .410. For a short time, they existed together here. This is the 44XL. Several companies offered loadings. Marble loaded the 44WCF with a round ball and called it the Game Getter after their gun.   This is the 1st version with sights. Later versions were chambered for 410.  A later version   These came with barrels of various lengths, some of which are illegal today without a stamp. Many makers offered guns chambered for the 44XL. Here is one of my 44XL sxs. This one is Belgian in origin. I also have an American made 44XL sxs.   There is also the myth that Parker made the 1st American .410 sxs. Pete
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
That was my intro to the 44XL, a marbles game getter...We had 3 around the place for a while...Also an H&R Handigun, which I still have It is aptly named, I had a local guy make me a holster for it out of Cordura, backed with lots of Velcro. Then I glued Velcro on the door of the pickemup..Slap the holster against the door, and good to go...Kill a lot of buzzworms every year with it...I also had a 28 bore British single shot that I know predated 1900....I think Amarillo Mike stolded it..
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
For a detailed history of the 28-g, may I suggest Silvio Calabi's article "Less is More" from the November/December 2006 issue of Shooting Sportsman magazine. Parker joined the 'parade' about 85 years late. The breech-loading, center-fire Pauly that was believed to have been made for Napoleon c.1814 was a 28-g.
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