May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2020
Made in 1930, this rare L.C. Smith has 32" barrels with concave matted rib with single front bead. Rib with small gold bar towards breech. Tops of barrels with "L.C. Smith Crown Grade" on right tube, "Made to order by the Hunter Arms Co. Inc. Fulton, NY" on left tube. Barrel flats with proper "CHAMBERS 3 INCHES" marking and bottom of barrel lug with "LONG RANGE" engraved. Splinter forend is near full checkered with triangular ebony tip and engraved banjo release. Inside forend iron is hand engraved patent info and screws engraved, serial number stamped. Made with Hunter One single selective trigger, auto ejectors, and non-auto safety. Case hardened action is beautifully engraved in standard Crown Grade pattern with pointers in game scene on right, setters in game scene on left all surrounded by well executed floral scroll. Top lever with gold crown and floral engraved. Gold inlaid "S" in front of safety. Capped pistol grip buttstock is checkered in point pattern with flowing grain and terminates with its original lined hard rubber buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels retain about 95% original blued finish with a couple of light scratches and a minor repaired dent on right tube about 1/2 way down, though light evidence of original strike marks remain on breech face indicating this as a sparingly used gun. Forend is excellent and retains virtually all of an older restored finish. Banjo forend opener retains about 80% original blue. Action retains about 75% original case color, particularly nice on sides, toning on bottom. Butt is excellent and original and retains virtually all of an ancient perfectly restored finish with only minor subsequent marks. Bores are brilliant and shiny. Mechanics are crisp. These original 3" long range guns are rare and highly desirable. Most were used hard and these are rarely ever found in such fine condition. PROVENANCE: From the Carl Balderson Jr. Estate Collection. JSL
CORRECTION: There is a tiny crack emanating off left side of trigger guard.
Item Dimensions: L: 49".
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .030 (R) .026
Internal Bore Diameter
(BOTH) .728
Length of Pull
14" from rear position SST