Modern 28ga. 3" chambering's and ammunition have been around in some parts of Europe for some lengthy period and Japan as well, at least at an earlier time. I don't know the exact date when Fiocchi started making that ammunition, but know the ammunition was available in Italy in the 1960's. I own several 28 ga. Franchi O/U's with 3" cambered bbls; they were built along the line of their International Skeet guns on 12 ga. case coloured frames, but have narrower ribs than is usual to that particular model. The ones I have were made in 1969 ~'70. I purchased them NIB from Bill Jaqua around '73 who had acquired them in some buy out he did, but don't recall if he said it was a store or a collection.
On one occasion, probably 20 or more years ago now, I examined a Japanese made single bbl. 3" chambered 28ga. that was a very exquisitely made arm w/diminutive stock dimensions and a 34" full choked bbl. SWAG; it could have been made for shooting targets off of a yacht's deck by a slightly built woman or a child. I dunno, but suspect there was a very interesting story behind its existence. Suspect it got here as a war prize, but don't know that for a fact either.
The introduction of the Remington 1148 in 28ga. had many W TX & OK bird hunters going wild for them when I was growing up and when Federal introduced their 1oz. 28 ga. loads it got even better for many of them. I had a friend's dad crack two 1148 receivers using nothing but that 1oz. Federal load. I was told some years later that was why Federal quit marketing that particular load; 1148 receivers could not handle a steady diet of them. I dunno; just saying.
I've personally never shot any 3" 28ga. ammunition, but its been out there a while. I've also seen what I believe were brass hulls in that length for reloading, but don't remember how they were head stamped or even if they were.
I've a friend that loads 24 & 32 gauge ammo for use at skeet & sporty clays. Why? Because he enjoys it and he is 94 years old and no longer has much interest in recoil. He is still a fine shot, but two boxes is plenty most days in our Texas summer heat. We all should be so lucky.
