Sub gauge shotguns have been a hot item across the industry, appealing to upland hunters, clay shooters, arms collectors, and scattergun fans of every interest. In the auction world, the excitement around these small bore specialists has been particularly notable, with Rock Island Auction Company seeing increasing interest in both vintage models and high-end modern classics.

Two factory engraved and gold inlaid Ithaca Classic Doubles Superlative Grade sub gauge shotguns. (Top) A 28 gauge example (Bottom) A .410 bore example.

We'll explore the rise of the sub gauge shotgun and examine some of the finest recent examples offered at Rock Island Auction Company, including a breathtaking trio of factory engraved Purdey & Sons 28 gauge shotguns and the first ever produced Boss & Co. .410 bore U/O shotgun.

This consecutive trio of engraved Best Quality over/under shotguns includes an extra 28 inch .410 barrel set with a gold inlaid "1" at the base of the rib. Also included is a fine oak & leather takedown case that houses the entire set along with three oilers, two cleaning rods, and a pair of .410 bore snap caps.

What is a Sub Gauge Shotgun?

Many firearms writers today, like Phil Bourjaily of Field & Stream, Joe Coogan of American Rifleman, and Chris Ingram of Gun Dog Magazine, classify sub gauge shotguns as anything smaller than 12 gauge.

The National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and the National Sporting Clays Association exclude the 16 gauge from their definition, classifying sub-gauge events as, "any event, except 16-gauge, that is not 12-gauge and that is smaller in diameter than 12-gauge. For these purposes, "12-gauge event" means any event designated as 12-gauge or any general event that doesn’t specify gauge. In case a 16-gauge event is held, it will classify as a 12-gauge event."

A highlight from the Norman R. Blank Collection, this early breech loading, cased, exhibition quality, panel scene engraved, relief carved double barrel underlever 16 gauge shotgun comes from the well-respected shop of Johann Springer in Vienna around the 1860s.

Some sportsmen classify 20 gauge as sub gauge, while others limit the term to 28 gauge and smaller. But while the 20 gauge has ranked as the second most popular shotgun option for decades, the 28 gauge and .410 bore have both seen their fortunes rise in recent years. We'll examine each of these sizes in depth.

A Ken C. Hunt Master gold engraved Purdey side lock 20 gauge.

The 28 Gauge Shotgun

According to William Wellington Greener's records, in the United Kingdom the 28 gauge dates to at least 1857. In 1903, Parker Brothers helped popularize this sub gauge class in the United States, and other American makers quickly followed their example.

A magnificent trio of factory master GS Pedretti signed and engraved J Purdey and Sons 28 gauge shotguns.

In its early years, the 28 gauge competed in a crowded market with now largely obsolete sub gauges like 24 and 32. The 28 gauge found its niche as a clay shooting standard and a lightweight field gun for smaller woodland birds like quail, dove, chukar, woodcock, and sharp tail.

A gorgeous factory Master G. Ferrante signed and deep relief engraved Abbiatico & Salvinelli 28 gauge sidelock double barrel shotgun.

In 'Cartridges of the World' by Frank C. Barnes, the author states that the original blackpowder 28 gauge "used a 2½-inch shell with 1¾ drams of powder and ⅝-ounce of shot.” By the early 20th century, the standard case length became 2 3/4 inches to accommodate more shot. Other case options like a 3 inch length have been introduced, and advances in power and shot type have made the 28 gauge more versatile than ever.

A consecutive trio of engraved 28 gauge Purdey Best Quality sidelock over/under shotguns. All three scenes were executed in exceptional detail by the hand of highly renowned master engraver Simon Coggan, who has signed each of the guns on the triggerplate.

The .410 Bore

The most recently standardized of the common sub gauge shells, the .410 bore hit the shotgun scene in the early 20th century, but its development predecessors date back several decades prior, when British gunmakers like W.W. Greener developed cane guns chambered for .410 shells. In 1908, Marbles offered a combination gun with a .22 caliber rifle barrel and a .44 caliber smoothbore underbarrel, which eventually was reduced to .410.

Harrington & Richardson and other American gunmakers began to produce .410 single shot shotguns, an affordable survival gun that could serve in a pest control role and harvest a variety of small game. By the early 1930s, .410 gained popularity in competitive skeet shooting. With its 1/2 ounce shot load and tight patterns, the diminutive sub gauge tested a shooter's accuracy. The .410 bore's low recoil made the sub gauge an accessible option for clay shooters of all ages.

The first Boss & Co. O/U 410 bore shotgun, produced in 1938 for Coca-Cola chairman R. W. Woodruff. The barrels are engraved "OUR FIRST 410 OVER & UNDER" on the lower tube under the forend.

Sometimes mislabeled ".410 gauge," the .410 bore is named directly after its bore diameter instead of the typical shotgun gauge naming conventions, referring to the number of equally sized balls that could be produced from a pound of lead. Under these standards, the .410 bore would be considered 67 gauge, by far the smallest commonly chambered sub gauge.

Early .410 bore shells were 2 or 2 1/2 inches in length. In 1933, Winchester introduced the Model 42 shotgun chambered for 3 inch .410 bore shells. This pump action platform appealed to competitive clay busters and wingshooters looking for an option that provided rapid follow-up shots, and the longer shells increased the payload substantially. Today, 3 inch .410 bore shells can be found a variety of shot charges, including 9/16, 11/16, and 15/16 ounces.

A special order, engraved Winchester Model 42 Pigeon Grade slide action shotgun with box.

Bob Brister, famed hunter, competitor, and author, demonstrated that a .410 bore can provided a more pellet-dense pattern at 20 yards compared to its larger sub gauge siblings, though this advantage quickly dropped off with distance.

In the hands of a practiced shooter, the .410 bore is capable of harvesting a range of upland birds. The compact sub gauge has long enjoyed a smaller niche with turkey and waterfowl hunters. Modern loads using bismuth and tungsten pellets have increased the potential of the .410 bore and helped drive the recent sub gauge renaissance.

The .410 also continues to serve as a popular chambering in combination guns like the Savage Model 42, single shot platforms like the Thompson Center Contender, and multi-caliber revolvers like the Taurus Judge.

Manufactured in 1931, this scarce Parker Brothers .410 Bore VH Grade shotgun is one of only 463 manufactured in this configuration.

The Appeal of Sub Gauge Shotguns

The thinner, smaller patterns of sub gauge shotguns like the 28 gauge and .410 bore can have a steeper learning curve, but clay busters and wingshooters who master the platform are treated to a lightweight option that's less demanding on the cheek and shoulder.

Saving weight on both shotgun and shell is a welcome advantage when spending the day in the field. As William Harden Foster, author and co-inventor of skeet shooting pointed out, the best grouse gun is "the one that a certain hunter will find most pleasant to carry to the spot where a grouse is to be shot at, and there prove most efficient when the shot is made."

Each piece in this magnificent trio of 28 gauge shotguns from James Purdey & Sons was made with lustrous blued steel barrels featuring a single nickel bead sight on the matted flat solid rib which is marked with a gold inlaid "1", "2", or "3" indicating its place in the set.

A lighter firearm with a modest recoil can be more accessible to elder sportsmen and those with limited mobility. Sub gauge shotguns have historically served as teaching tools for the novice and can offer an ideal fit for shorter shooters of any experience level.

Many sportsmen find sub gauge shotguns fast and easy to swing, with smooth follow-up shots. Bob Brister concluded that the advantage of a sub gauge shotgun came less from the gauge alone and more from "balance, weight, gun fit, recoil, speed of swing—or maybe how well a man likes his gun."

An upgraded Charles Lee engraved L. C. Smith .410 bore Field Grade double barrel rifle/shotgun four barrel set with case.

28 Gauge vs .410 Bore

Both the 28 gauge and .410 bore are versatile sub gauge options that demand practice and precision. Due to its higher payload, the 28 gauge edges out the .410 bore in terms of stopping power and accuracy.

28 gauge and .410 bore ammunition is more expensive than their larger 12 gauge and 20 gauge siblings, with the .410 bore holding a slight edge in terms of availability and affordability. Renewed interest in both of these once comparatively niche sub gauge sizes has prompted ammunition manufacturers to expand their product lines.

Manufactured in 1919 on a "00" frame, this Parker Brothers GHE Grade 28 gauge shotgun is one of only 64 built with this combination of grade, gauge, barrel steel, and barrel length.

The 20 gauge continues to dominate the upland hunting market, but the 28 gauge has been gaining ground. In the 2023 North American Upland Hunting Survey, the 28 gauge was rated as the third most popular overall shotgun gauge, cited as the preferred choice for just over 11 percent of modern upland hunters, up from under 10 percent in 2022. Baby boomers were the most likely demographic to select the 28 gauge as their favorite.

While it's no surprise that the .410 bore came in a distant fifth in the survey, the tiny shell faired better when upland hunters were asked about their preferred gauge for specific game. For instance, 18.75 percent of respondents cited .410 bore as their favored choice for harvesting bobwhite quail.

The Remington Model 1100, a popular option with today's .410 bore sub gauge enthusiasts.

Sub Gauge Shotguns for Sale

Thanks to advancements in powder and pellet, the versatile sub gauge shotgun has become more viable than ever before. From clays, wingshooting, plinking, and pest control, both the 28 gauge and .410 bore can excel in a variety of roles. Whether you're already a sub gauge fan or new to the small bore bandwagon, Rock Island Auction Company offers the finest selection of vintage and modern sub gauge shotguns for sale.

Find the finest sub gauge shotguns for sale at Rock Island Auction Company.

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A close up look at one of the consecutive trio of engraved Best Quality over/under shotguns. Each gun in this exceptional grouping features a single gold trigger, gold centerlined cocking indicators, right hand rolled triggerguards, and tang mounted automatic safeties with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicators.