GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SCARCE, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION L.C. SMITH "EAGLE" GRADE "ALL OPTION" TRAP GUN. L.C. SMITH SXS EAGLE RE79903 12GA MODERN; C&R; IVORY (1925) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 32" Bbls with raised, matted, ventilated rib, are marked "L. C. SMITH Eagle GRADE" and "HUNTER ARMS CO INC. M'F'R'S FULTON, N.Y. U.S.A." Bbl flats are stamped with SN and Hunter proofs. Bottom of bbl is stamped with steel type. Splinter is reinforced. Typical L. C. Smith standard weight action is engraved with sprays of scroll and areas of stippling on bottom, fences, and on top. A standing eagle is relief engraved on top lever. Lockplates are engraved with large scroll surrounding semi-relief engraving of flying birds; pheasant on left and duck on right. This unusual treatment is unique to the "Eagle" grade. "L. C. Smith" is stamped in old English script on each lockplate. Blued trigger guard has scroll on bow and SN on tang. Nicely fiddle figured American walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14" over leather faced Silver type pad. Point pattern checkering wraps over top of grip and has line borders. Matching short schnabeled beavertail ejector forend has reinforcing bolt along with J-spring and knurled roll release in guitar shaped escutcheon. Bore diameter: left -.729, right - .727. Bore restrictions: left - .040 (extra full), right - .027 (Imod). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .030. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Cast: approx 1/4" on. Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14". Twin ivory bead sights. PROVENANCE: Cody Firearms letter with specifications. L. C. S. C. A. notes that this is the earliest known Eagle grade with ventilated rib. Consignor states he believes that this is the very first known ventilated rib of any grade, not just for the Eagle grade. The L.C. Smith Collection of Gerald Basham. CONDITION: Excellent, mostly original. Bbls retain nearly all orig blue, which has been enhanced a bit over some light marks and a few scratches. Action retains approx 80 - 85% orig case hardening color, silvered on sharp edges, fences, and slightly around bottom from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig color. Trigger guard retains most of its blue, loss due to flaking on bow, and cleaned rust at grip. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig finish with oil rubbed in as maintenance over some light marks. Checkering remains excellent, somewhat darkened. Bores are excellent, with a hint of light frosting at breech end of right bbl. Action is tight. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Trigger appears to work well. A fairly rare gun, in superb original condition. Houckens estimates 581 Eagle grades were manufactured, 414 in 12 ga. 50491-2 mgm69 (5,500-9,500)