GUNS/BARMS

[PMS Witch]

Thank-you for the links. Here's some text lifted from one of them. . .

Gauge is a measure of the inside diameter of a shotgun barrel, while caliber generally refers to the diameter of rifle and handgun bullets. However, a .410 is the caliber of a small shotgun, which is never called a 67½-gauge. Gauge was developed hundreds of years ago, before accurate devices allowed for precise measurement.

What's missing is why they're called 36 Gauge in Europe when it's clear they're 67 Gauge. (Using traditional methods of measurement.) With the other gauges I checked: 12, 20, and 28, there seems to be agreement between gauge and bore diameters used on both sides of the Atlantic.

The European practice of calling 410 guns 36 gauge seems wrong. But when an entire continent follows a certain practice, there must be a reason. I'm trying to learn what that reason is.

Trouble is, guns have not been a part of my background; hence, I have few resources when it comes to questions like this. Fortunately, people on this thread seem willing to offer assistance.

Cheers, PW.