GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
VERY FINE EARLY L. C. SMITH "A-2" GRADE (HIGHEST QUALITY L. C. SMITH OFFERED AT ITS TIME OF MAKING), ENGRAVING SIGNED BY "SPANGLER", AND PICTURED IN L.C. SMITH SHOTGUNS BY WILLIAM S. BROPHY.L.C. SMITHSXS A-258712gaIVORY(1892) Cal. 12 ga. This very well finished, and attractive, high grade American shotgun has 30" fine Damascus bbls with rear portion of broad concave matted rib engraved "HUNTER ARMS CO FULTON N.Y." Bbl flats are stamped with SN. Grade is stamped on splinter. Case hardened action with SN and patent dates (latest Oct 5 '86) on water table, is filed in the manner of the highest grade Syracuse made Smith guns, with double fillets around fences, and rebated lockplates, along with deep flutes, as transition from lock mortises to bottom. Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), early type bushed strikers, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with 80% coverage varying sized, very well cut foliate scroll. Lockplates are engraved with simpler small scroll, within geometric borders, surrounding large oval vignettes of semi-relief engraved dogs; pair of pointers, one pointing, the other honoring point, are in mixed hardwood/ conifer woodlands on left plate, and a pair of setters are in open deciduous woodland on right. Left scene is signed by noted engraver, "Spangler", at bottom rear. Trigger guard with small scroll on bow, has SN on tang. Striking, well marbled and figured Circassian walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 13-7/8" over fancy embossed hard rubber buttplate, with central double dog scene. A wide bead is filed around lockplates. Bottom of grip is of ogee profile, and well cut point pattern checkering is borderless. Matching splinter forend has inset ebony tip, J-spring and knurled button release with button in circular escutcheon, and is fitted with early type ejectors. Bore diameter: left -.732, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .022 (mod), right - .009 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .022, right - .033. Drop at heel: 3-1/4", drop at comb: 1-3/4". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 7 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". Ivory bead sight. PROVENANCE: Copy of Brophy book, where this gun is photographed and described on pages 50 and 51. The Collection of Jim Beckley. CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain approx 70% of what appears to be orig bbl brown with excellent definition to pattern, areas on sides thinning from normal hand wear, possibly an old factory quality re-brown, as there is some cleaned pitting at rear portion of rib and engraving is somewhat softened. Action retains traces of orig case hardening color where protected, but is mostly a pewter gray with some browning. Lockplates show evidence of being cleaned. Stocks retain nearly all of an old hand rubbed oil refinish, sharp edges slightly rounded, checkering re-cut. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors work. A fine example of this scarce gun. Brophy estimates that approx 200 were manufactured in all styles. Houchins estimates 25 were made in this early variation, with an approximate total of 210 in all variations. 50632-5 MGM206 (10,000-15,000)