GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE L.C. SMITH SECOND STYLE A2 GRADE DOUBLE 2 BBL SET, BARREL SHOTGUN WITH FACTORY LETTER AND CASE.L.C. SMITHA-2542112 GA2 BBL SET W/CASEMODERN; C&R; ESACal. 12 ga. This beautiful shotgun has two sets of bbls, 26" and 30". Both have concave, tapered, matted ribs with the 26" bbls having dbl ivory beads and the 30" bbls a sgl brass front bead. Both have crossbolt rib extensions with ejectors and it has checkered dbl triggers. Both sets of bbls are marked "SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" on right side and "MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. FULTON N.Y." on left side. Both have engraved serial numbers on flats on bottom and the forend lug on 26" bbls is marked "A2". Under left lockplate on frame is also marked "A2". Mounted with spectacular exhibition grade, center crotch cut, flame grain, American walnut with fleur-de-lis checkering through the wrist which is a superb expert replacement. Splinter forearm is near full coverage checkered and fleur-de-lis pattern with black triangular ebony tip. It is an extremely well done replacement. Buttstock with Prince of Wales grip, 14-1/4" over a red leather covered pad. Receiver & lockplates are engraved in 2nd style patterns with a tiny woodcock on left side and a quail on right side with bird dogs on both front sides, all surrounded by extremely well-executed foliate & floral pattern engraving with maker's name in a ribbon on each lockplate. Fences have a sgl raised rib around their back radii, and engraving extends about 2" over chamber areas of bbls. All appended metal is engraved to match. This shotgun is listed, by serial number, on p. 211 of L.C. Smith Shotguns, Brophy, as having been shipped March 9, 1901 with 30" bbls. Brophy further states on p. 50 that a total of only 200 of this fine grade of L.C. Smith was made in this period. 26" BBLS: Bore diameter: left – .725, right – .725. Bore restrictions: left – .002, right – .002. Wall thickness: left – .035, right – .033. 30" BBLS: Bore diameter: left – .727, right – .725. Bore restrictions: left – .030, right – .032. Wall thickness: left – .026, right – .027. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter identifying this shotgun as an A2 grade, 12 ga. with 30" bbls, finished on March 29, 1901. All visible SN match. WEIGHT: with 30" bbl 7 lbs 12 oz. Housed in a modern full leather chocolate colored case with maroon woolen interior and modern makers label attached. CONDITION: Fine as partially restored. Both sets of bbls retain about all of a fine, professionally restored finish. Receiver & lockplates retain around 60% orig case colors, strong & bright in sheltered areas, fading elsewhere and turned to silver in more exposed areas. Trigger guard retains most of a restored finish. Wood is sound with forearm retaining a dark orig style finish while buttstock has a lighter, more modern custom finish. Mechanics are functional though there is a touch of looseness in the hinge and there is some light pitting in the 30" tubes. Case is extremely fine as are accessories with only minor handling marks. 53210-3 JSL (11,000-16,000)