BSA SxS shotgun

Sharps '74

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A young shooter I'm mentoring in CAS has a nice BSA SxS. No model number. In addition to all the proof marks, 1-1/8 is stamped on the barrels. I presume this to mean the gun was proofed for 1-1/8 oz. loads.

How do I determine if this gun is chambered 2-1/2" or 2-3/4"?
 
1 1/8 oz proofs = 2 1/2" chambers, 1 1/4 oz = 2 3/4" chambers. The chambers may have been lengthened to 2 3/4" in North America and not subsequently reproofed. If this is so it may or may not affect structural integrity depending partly on the original condition of the barrels but mostly on the experience and skill of the gunsmith that did the work. The only accurate way to tell for sure if they have been lengthened is with a chamber gauge or a bore gauge. Lengthened and unproofed chambers will negatively affect the value of a high grade gun, most likely of no consequence on most BSA hammer doubles. Look for the NITRO PROOF or NITRO marks amongst the proof marks. If it is nitro proofed it may be suitable for modern 2 1/2" ammo. Without these marks it is a black powder gun and in any case should be checked by a qualified gunsmith to see if it is suitable to shoot.
 
Thanks.

The gun is marked NITRO proofed. The serial #25744 if that is a help, although I've read that may not be useful in dating BSA shotguns. Fired 2-3/4" cases chamber well, so I suspect that perhaps it may have been altered. In the event that is incorrect, how dangerous would it be to use light 1 oz. loads in 2-1/2" chambers?
 
Because modern plastic cases are much thinner than the old paper cases that this gun was made to use, the pressure increase with 2 3/4 inch ammo in the short chambers, while there, isn't a huge increase. One big problem here is determining the actual chamber pressures created by the ammo you intend to use. The common assumption is that target loads, especially "light" loads are also low pressure. Not so, many target loads are in the upper 20% of acceptable pressure. Not a problem in modern guns, breaks targets, burns clean, what's not to like? Most manufacturers don't advertise the pressures of specific loads but may provide them on request. Another option is reloads made to exact specifications with published pressures, look for pressures less than 8,000 psi. No fudging, every component must be exactly to recipe. I would still strongly suggest that this gun should be professionally checked out. Using higher pressure ammo than the gun is made for may not blow it up but at the least it will strain this old gun and loosen it up prematurely. I thought CAS used black powder??
 
Black Powder is used in CAS in some categories, but not all.

I have a 1977 edition of the Gun Digest with an article on British proofs. There is a photo of the exact markings that appear on my young friend's BSA. From what I gather, this gun dates post 1905 when the markings changed. The word 'CHOKE' on the left barrel puzzles me. Does that means that it is choked and the right barrel cylinder bore?

The article is pretty definitive in saying that '1-1/8' means a 2-1/2" chamber. 12 bore guns were made with 2", 2-1/2", 2-5/8", 2-2/4", 2-7/8", 3" and 3-1/4" lengths! And I thought that 3" + shells were something new. Those with chambers 3" or longer were marked with "LC".

My young pal will be using the lowest recommended 7-1/2 1 oz. loads with 700x powder. It's all we need in CAS to knock down steel and bust the clay birds we launch vertically.
 
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