GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, HIGH CONDITION 16 GAUGE L. C. SMITH "5E" GRADE SHOTGUN WITH SINGLE TRIGGER AND STRAIGHT GRIP STOCK. L.C. SMITH SXS 5E 210946 16GA MODERN; C&R (ca 1909) Cal. 16 ga. The "5E" was a very high grade L. C. Smith, which after 1913 became the "Crown" grade. This rare high original condition, small gauge example has 30" bbls with concave, matted rib engraved "MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. FULTON, N.Y." There are 1-1/2" triangles of scroll at breech ends, and 1/8" bands of geometric engraving at muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with SN and grade. Standard weight L. C. Smith sidelock action features non-automatic safety (S inlaid in gold) and Hunter One trigger. Action is engraved with 50% coverage scroll with some rose bouquet highlights within geometric and line borders. Lockplates are near fully engraved with simple scroll and flowers outlining oval vignettes of semi-relief engraved dogs; pair of setters, one pointing, the other honoring point, in meadow, on left, and a pair of pointers, in same basic pose, in conifers, on right. "L. C. SMITH" is on scrolled riband on the front of each plate. Blued trigger guard with scroll and roses on bow has SN on tang. Nicely streaked and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-1/2" over old leather faced Silver type pad. Point pattern checkering wraps over grip, and has line borders. Matching splinter ejector forend with contrasting wood tip, has J-spring and knurled roll release in guitar shaped escutcheon. Iron has ejector patent information engraved within line borders. Bore diameter: left -.650, right - .650. Bore restrictions: left - .024 (Imod), right - .024 (Imod). Wall thickness: left - .036, right - .033. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 13-1/2". CONDITION: Excellent, original as found. Bbls retain 90 - 95%+ orig blue with some light marks and scratches, thinning somewhat and slightly browning on sides near forend from normal hand wear. Action retains 60 - 70% orig case hardening color, silvering around bottom with some slight brown flecking, and on fences. Lockplates retain perhaps 85 - 90% of their color, most loss at bottom rear of right plate. Trigger guard is near mint retaining most of its original blue - slightly silvered on sharp edges and beginning to thin at grip. Stocks retain most of their orig varnish with light scratches and marks, grain slightly raised. Checkering is near excellent showing some use. Forend may have some old oil rubbed in. Bores are excellent near mirror throughout. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Trigger appears to work well. A very scarce gun which Houchins in L. C. SMITH THE LEGEND LIVES estimates a total production of 37; undoubtedly very few have straight grip stock. It is interesting to note that President Theodore Roosevelt had an LC Smith 5E 16ga in the exact same configuration just several hundred serial numbers after this gun. His gun is currently on display at the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, WY. 50531-1 mgm68 (20,000-30,000)