When a version history is already loaded, decreasing the total parameter does not care. It already returns the old amount of values.
import pwb
import pywikibot as py
s = py.Site()
p = py.Page(s, 'user:xqt/Test')
x = p.getVersionHistory(total=5)
len(x)
5
x = p.getVersionHistory(total=2)
len(x)
5
The same for getVersionHistoryTable and fullVersionHistory method
Version: core-(2.0)
Severity: major
See Also:
https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=72344