Skinnier .22s?

[zippy13]

Were old time .22 Rimfire cartridges ever a smaller diameter than they are today?

I ask because: My neighbor's old Colt Lightning .22 rifle has been visiting at the LGS for a tune up. The LGS called to tell him the gun was ready; but, a .22-Short wouldn't easily fit into the chamber, and he didn't want to force it. Were .22s smaller 100-years ago, or does my neighbor need to clean/polish his chamber?

 

[Hawg]

It needs a good cleaning. I've reloaded short cases with bp and fired them from pistols made in the 1850's and they fit just fine.

 

[Bailey Boat]

OR......... someone has been dry firing it and peened the chamber therefore making it harder than normal to chamber a round...... sometimes it can be ironed out and sometimes it can't........