October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
(1925) The "Premier" grade was the top of the standard L. C. Smith line between 1913 and 1941. It was priced $150.00 higher than its Parker competitor, the A1 - Special ($410.00 in 1913), at $562.00. This gun was shipped December 14, 1925 with all options except Monte Carlo stock. This gun has 32" barrels of Whitworth steel, which is engraved on top of right barrel and with Whitworth trademarks on bottoms. Top of left barrel is engraved "MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co. Inc. FULTON N.Y." There are 2" triangles of scroll transfixed by gold inlaid lightning bolts at breech ends, and 3/4" triangles in geometric bands at muzzles. Rear portion of matted ventilated rib is engraved "L. C. SMITH Premier GRADE" within geometric and scrolled borders. Barrel flats are stamped with Hunter proofs, and engraved with serial number and grade. Splinter is of reinforced type. Case hardened sidelock action with usual rotary bolt features non-automatic safety and Hunter One trigger. Action is engraved with near full coverage varying sized scroll within geometric borders which surrounds rose bouquet accents. Lockplates have more scroll surrounding exceptionally well detailed full relief engraved vignettes of dogs; with a setter standing in corn stubble on left lockplate, and a pointer in open rocky terrain on right. "L. C. SMITH" is on large curved tendril of scroll on each side. Fences are nicely floral relief carved with open scroll having central acanthus highlight. Trigger plate has central portrait of a spaniel. Blued trigger guard with matching scroll on bow has serial number in a long oval on scroll engraved tang. Well streaked and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/4" over Silver type pad. Checkering at grip has intrusions of uncheckered fleur de lis bands, and is of modified point pattern, and borderless, as found on other "Premier" grades. Matching, but most likely later, long beavertail ejector forend has reinforcing brace similar to that used on Model 21 Winchesters. Interior of iron is engraved with serial number and ejector patent information within more scroll and geometric borders. Release is of typical L. C. Smith type with J-spring and knurled button within guitar shaped escutcheon. CONDITION: Good, as refurbished. Barrels retain nearly all of a well done rust re-blue. Lettering on tops of barrels picked up. Action and lockplates retain a considerable amount original case hardening color, very difficult to ascertain percentage because this color was never very vivid, as evidenced by what remains on water table, as well as the extensive engraving. Trigger guard retains perhaps 10% of what appears to be its original blue. Buttstock is an older, sympathetic replacement and retains nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish. Forend is also replaced possibly at the same time, screws do not bottom out correctly in escutcheon which is set well below surface of wood. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are very fine with a hint of light frosting which has been polished a bit. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger appears to work well. MGM76.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(BOTH) .025
Choke
(L) .014 (Modified) (R) .038 (Full)
Internal Bore Diameter
(L) .727 (R) .728
Length of Pull
14 - 1/4" cast about 1/8" on.