Short English shells not functioning in Fred's Model 12? What a crock- I shoot 2&3/4" AA trap loads- and I have - and I have shot RSTds in either of my 2 Model 12 3" chambered Duck guns- and I have 5 other std. M12's in 12 gauge with 2 & 3/4" chambers-and the short RST 2.5' work like a charm. Were the Limey 2.5" loads in 1924 different, so as to bolex-up a "Perfect Repeater". I doubt it.

I also appreciate the confirmation that Rudy may well have used that 870 in some of the big money pigeon shoots in his long career. My late maternal Grandfather used his Parker 12 (32" F&F) AHE for box birds (he never shot columbaire birds that I know of) across from the Queen City to the Corbin KY area) but for bird hunting (ducks and pheasants) he shot either his Model 12 or his Model 97, both 12 gauge guns of course.To each his own.

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..