doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com American 28 gauge

I was wondering if you all could tell me what early American shotguns were chambered in 28 gauge? I know of the Ithaca NID and an early Crescent hammer gun but what else was made in that gauge? I haven't seen a Stevens, Fox, LC Smith, or Lefever. What about the Lefever/Ithaca Nitro Special, Hunter Fulton, Westernfield or some other cheaper doubles? Thanks in advance.

Parker Brothers.

Parker, Iver Johnson, 1 LC Smith, Hollenbeck three barrel.

Ithaca Flues.

Grade 2

The H&R Small Bore Hammer Gun was chambered in 28ga also.

It is a toss up as to whether the Remington Model 1893 single barrel or the Parker Bros. double was the first American 28-gauge.

As to the Ithaca NID, from the NID's introduction in the 1926 Ithaca Gun Co. catalog, through their 1931-32 catalog, the NID was offered in .410-bore, 20, 16-, 12- and 10-gauge. Western Cartridge Co. introduced their Super-X load of 3/4 ounce, put up in their 2 7/8 inch FIELD shell in their March 1, 1931, catalog, and by the first printing of Ithaca's 1932 catalog the NID was being offered in 28-gauge. Ithaca ran this ad in several magazines in the spring of 1932 --



Even though the NID 28-gauge wasn't cataloged, Ithaca apparently did make some in the 1926 to 31 time period.

I forgot about the Parker. A little out of my price range. Im curious about the Hollenbeck and the H&R though. Did Stevens, Fulton, or Lefever Nitro Special ever chamber a 28?

First shotgun I ever shot was a little H&R small frame 28ga hammer Single. As I recall this gun was made in 24 & 28 gauges plus the .410 bore. It was a scaled down version of the larger H&R single hammer gun. This gun belonged to an Uncle, by marriage, & I was unable to acquire it. I did get to shoot it again in later life & we weighed it at the time. As I recall it went 4lb 2oz.

My gun growing up was an H&R single shot in 28 ga. Me and my brother killed a ton of squirrels with that gun and a few grouse. I now have it for my boys to use. Nice looking gun for a H&R single with case hardened frame and good looking wood.

Thanks a lot to all. Ill have to keep my eyes open for something that I may have a hankering to shoot some small game with. Beautiful gun Ithaca1 BTW...