12 gauge 3" shotgun shell

[DCT]

Does anyone know what year the 3" shotgun chamber went into production, and what manufacturer made it first?

 

[Cuzzin]

Maybe somebody has better info - but I believe it was Winchester in 1933 - the 3" Super Speed made for the Winchester model 1912. The first "magnum" 3" was the Remington round in 1955 made for their Remington 870. The 3-1/2" super magnum round was made in 1988 by Federal for the Mossberg 3-1/2"chambered guns.

 

[Virginian]

Winchester introduced the 3", but I do not know if the "Magnum" handle was applied to it from the beginning or not. Winchester Super X and Western Super Speed were the load labels. Nash Buckingham wondered in print if we were shooting 8 gauge guns based on the payload. Wonder what he would think of the 3-1/2".

 

[DCT]

Thanks for the information, that is the information I was looking for.

 

[rcmodel]

From http://www.oldammo.com/ammo/shotshel.txt

sp-8 No.12. U S NEW RAPID, 3" black new primed empty, 15/16" high base with recessed head, made from 1900 to 1910 $12.00
sp-14 No.12. U S NEW RAPID, 3" tan new primed empty, 15/16" high base with recessed head, made from 1900 to 1910, this is a super rare shotshell, only about 8 of these are known to collectors $300.00

Note this is empty paper 3" shells.

rc