27" tubes, 3" chambers, and 7&1/4 lbs. Someone had a very specific plan for this one I'm sure, what it was I cannot say.

http://gavingardiner.com/BidCat/detail.asp?SaleRef=0043&LotRef=230

Really like that pigeon rib. Nice gun, would like more photos...
JR

Colombaire?

I was going to suggest colombaire until I saw the 16 gauge.

If it is numbered, it was apparently part of a pair. I am thinking driven birds, flying high. Wonder what the usual shot load of a 3" 16 ga. BP shell was?

Lovely gun.

kinda heavy for ah 16...

an why 3"? wid no ammo handy...

purdy gon dough...

for dat kinda money, an a grade fox is ah better choice all around...

This gun and a fox two completely different worlds

I have an A Grade Fox 16 with 30" barrels. I'm not a serious competitive target shooter, but it is my target gun. Weighs 6/7. It is an extractor gun, so ejectors would add a bit more weight.

The only similarities between this gun and a fox is they both go bang

A real oddball order by some eccentric. Interesting to see what it makes at auction. Eley did make 3 inch 16 bore ammunition but it was never popular and was only available for a limited period. My 1937 Eley catalogue doesn't list a 3 inch 16 bore round but does list 'Gastight' quality capped cases in 3 inch 16 bore. The Black Powder load recommendation in the same catalogue is 3 Drams powder and 1 1/8th. ounce of shot. So no real advantage. The smokeless powder loadings are 1 1/6th ounce and 1 1/8th. ounce. I have a few rounds in my collection which are a pale mauve colour. Lagopus…..

Just checked and the fact that the serial number starts with a 12 then four digits indicates the number 2 gun of a true pair. 25% commission then a further 17 1/2% value added tax needs to be added into the equation. Lagopus…..

Could have been ordered by an English eccentric, and could have been ordered by a shooter on the Continent who wanted an English pair for driven shoots in Austria or wherever. It's nitro reproofed, so ammunition is not a problem. We shoot short shells in 3" chambered 12s and 20s all the time.

Is there any proof that the gun was made with 3" chambers? I couldn't access the barrel flat pictures if there are any.

Gavin will provide more pictures upon request. At 7&1/4 lbs, my guess is the chamber length is original.