Old H&R Single shots - safe to fire??

[60clock]

Hi I have a question regarding old single shot shotguns. I’ve seen many for sale lately, probably because hunting season is gearing up in a few months.

I’m particularly interested in info on the older Harrington & Richardson Model 1900 with 1901 patent dates on the receiver and the removable spring loaded break down pin. Are these safe to shoot with low brass or “shorty” rounds? I’ve seen at least one that will successfully chamber and eject a 2 3/4” dummy shell, but so many people online say these were made for 2 1/2” or 2 9/16” shells. Some say these shotguns were made for black powder shells only, which seems odd since they were made up until almost 1920 IIRC.

They are such simple and no frills shotgun, seem like the perfect thing for a turkey hunt. I wouldn’t want to shoot steel shot or rifled slugs out of it or anything. Probably want to keep any listed velocity to 1200 fps or less. If the chamber can be reliably confirmed to be 2 3/4” are they likely for smokeless powders? It’s too bad they didn’t keep better records of the specific manufacturing dates for these old gun.

[R L Suehr]

If it's a 1900, I believe it would be a 2 1/2" chamber. Someone more knowledgeable may come along and correct me though. The "mini" shells they make should work in it. I wouldn't fire anything even coming close to a "turkey " load out of it. 2 3/4" shells will chamber in a 2 1/2" gun. The problem doesn't become apparent until after you fire it unfortunately. If it were mine and I wanted to fire it, I would probably take it to a Smith first honestly. It usually doesn't cost very much to have them look over something for you and it's at least piece of mind if nothing else.