School me on the 4 gauge

[Woody]

Off topic but I was given a empty 4 gauge hull. I’ve looked around some but can’t find a lot of info. What can you tell me about the 4 gauge? Here’s a pic of the hull. It’s 4” long.

[Researcher]

From what little I know about the 4-gauge, it appears that our major ammunition companies in North America never provided loaded shells, just NPEs. In 1887, UMC offered both brass and paper cases.

1887 UMC catalog, brass cases

4-gauge 1887 brass.png (320.66 KiB) Viewed 7427 times

1887 UMC catalog, paper cases

4-gauge 1887 paper.png (304.77 KiB) Viewed 7427 times

By 1901, they only offered paper cases --

1901 UMC catalog paper cases

4-gauge, 1901.png (154.49 KiB) Viewed 7427 times

Probably the bulk of the U.S. 4-gauge guns were custom single barrels made by the likes of Sneider or McComas in Baltimore for use by the "sports" at some of the exclusive clubs on the Chesapeake. See C. John Sullivan Jr,'s book on the Carroll's Island Ducking Club. At the NRA convention in Reno, about three decades ago the Southern California Arms Collector's Assn. displayed a 4-gauge hammerless double (ca 1875-6) by Charles Edward Sneider of 214 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, with 38-inch barrels and was said to weigh 28 1/2 pounds!!

I'm a little surprised to see WINCHESTER on the head of your case. Winchester's policy from 1901 to 1919 was that their factory loaded shotgun shells had WINCHESTER on the headstamp and their NPEs had 1901. Here from the 1916 Winchester catalog --

1916 Winchester catalog

From a casual review of several old ammunition catalogs, it appears only Winchester and UMC serviced the market for these big shells. I didn't find any offerings of 4- or 8-gauge cases from Peters Cartridge Co. or Western Cartridge Co.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Thanks once again Dave. You keep 'em coming & coming. Woody, good question.
tjw

[Researcher]

There is a UMC No. 4 in the current Ward's Auction said to have a top wad showing it to be loaded by VL&D in New York. Already up to $38 with 27 days to go!!

[Woody]

There is a UMC No. 4 in the current Ward's Auction said to have a top wad showing it to be loaded by VL&D in New York. Already up to $38 with 27 days to go!!

Thanks for all the great info. I figured you would have the answer.

[Woody]

I didnt See the one in auction at Wards. I just Looked for it

[Researcher]

https://wardscollectibles.com/viewitem.php?item=4198

[TOOL MAN]

Very easy on the shoulder.....recoil similar to this:

[OH Osthaus]

years ago, the double gunshop site had a video from an early vintagers where a guy had cocked both hammers on a 4 bore rifle - when he fired the right side the left side went off in sympathy.

it lifted the shooter right off his feet and backwards into the guy behind him trying to score his shot

[67galaxie]

It would be neat to see what Watson Bros are using in the 4 bores they are producing now

[eightbore]

An unmolested box of Kynoch 4 gauge shells will sell for maybe $750 or $1000. Better figure on loading your own.

[Mike of the Mountain]

years ago, the double gunshop site had a video from an early vintagers where a guy had cocked both hammers on a 4 bore rifle - when he fired the right side the left side went off in sympathy.

it lifted the shooter right off his feet and backwards into the guy behind him trying to score his shot

OH, I don't think there is anything sympathetic about that gun doubling!!!