Fox Collectors

For years I've seen the listings in various North American ammunition company's catalogs from the 1890s to about 1907 for 12-gauge shells for bulk smokeless powder up to 3 1/4 inch. While I've yet to see a box of such loaded shells, a box of Winchester's 1901 PIGEON NPEs is in the May Wards Auction --
Some Union Metallic Cartridge Co. offerings from 1905 (yellow arrows) --

What would you expect them to sell for Dave?

The opening bid price is $750. Already too rich for my peasant upbringing!!

From the factories they only came with the same load one could get in the 2 3/4-inch shell but with more/better wadding. Three of the Fox Gun Co., Balto., MD., U.S.A. guns I've had a chance to measure the chambers of have 3 1/4-inch chambers.

I've long wondered what loads North American nimrods were stuffing in these long shells?

researcher, what is NPE, thanks,fred

New Primed Empty

got it,thanks.fred

Thanks Dave I notice these also.

Now, if I can just find a reasonable Wm. Cashmore to pair with them I might be tempted! Lol

Will

Really cool! Now to find the magic salmon colored ones

The only 12-gauge MAGIC NPE I've found is a 2 7/8-inch --

The box with 85 NPEs went for $1727 plus the vig. Our friend Will Gurton got a picture of one of the NPEs on a tape measure --

The LC Smith Collector's forums-at the end subject list-goes into great detail
about shell length, live pigeon shoots with listed scores and make of shotguns used,
and tournament entries.

There was interest in the Cashmore guns and special shells.

My Greener eight gauge is nitro proved for 3 3/4" cases. I haven't seen such ammunition on the Ward's site. Still looking.