The Olin's post WW-II 3-inch "magnum" 20-gauge shells first with 1 1/8 then 1 3/16 and finally 1 1/4 ounces of shot, initially intended for their Model 21s, is a far cry from the 1912 3-inch 20-gauge shells. The 1912 vintage shells only had 1/4 dram equiv. more powder then the regular 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shells of those days. The 3-inch 20-gauge shells of 1912 had 2 1/2 drams equiv, and 7/8 ounces of shot while the 2 1/2 inch shells maxed out at 2 1/4 drams equiv. with the same 7/8 ounce of shot.
I'm sure many of the shooters of some of the famous Parker Bros. 3-inch 20-gauge guns were handloading the shells heavier, but I haven't found any heavier factory loadings offered.
3 inch 20 ga. question
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In my pre WW-I ammo catalogues the shotgun shells are normally priced by the 1000 (two cases). The additional price for the extra length hulls, with more and better wadding, were also given per/1000. The usually available lengths in 20-gauge ammo was 2 1/2 inch, 2 3/4 inch, 2 7/8 inch and 3-inch. I doubt any but the largest dealers in the largest cities carried extra length shells in stock.
In a Hollenbeck Gun Co. ad circa 1904 they printed a testimonial letter from a customer who had purchased one of their drillings in 20-gauge and .25/25 Stevens. The writer mentions he had been unable to find 3-inch 20-gauge shells anywhere in Tacoma.
In a Hollenbeck Gun Co. ad circa 1904 they printed a testimonial letter from a customer who had purchased one of their drillings in 20-gauge and .25/25 Stevens. The writer mentions he had been unable to find 3-inch 20-gauge shells anywhere in Tacoma.