GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE SPECIAL ORDER LATE PRODUCTION L.C. SMITH GUN CO. CROWN GRADE 20 GAUGE WITH UNIQUE ENGRAVING AND FACTORY LETTER. L.C. SMITH CROWN GRADE FWE 26603 20 GA MODERN; C&R; ESA Cal. 20 ga. 28" fluid steel bbls with high single sight plain matted rib with twin ivory beads. Gold bar in rib in breech ends which is also scroll engraved. Tops of bbls marked "L.C. SMITH CROWN GRADE / L.C. SMITH GUN CO., INC. FULTON. N.Y.". Chambers are 2-3/4". Hunter One trigger, automatic ejectors, non-auto safety. Straight grip buttstock is checkered in late Crown Grade pattern with gold oval near toe and has 13-3/4 LOP over checkered butt. Large beaver tail forearm with roll type release at center and fully scroll engraved forearm iron is checkered in flowing wave and leaf pattern. The leaves carved towards action end of forearm are particularly deep on sides. Receiver is engraved in highly unique monogram pattern with 4 quail in field scene on left, 2 grouse in farm scene on right surrounded by late style L.C. Smith rose & scroll engraving. Bottom of action is engraved in rose & scroll pattern with 4 flying ducks on trigger plate and scroll extends towards forearm. Bbl lug with rose & scroll. Top of action with beaded fences and is engraved in floral & scroll pattern which extends onto top lever and top tang which is scroll engraved. Safety slide is also scroll engraved with gold "S" inlaid in front of safety. The trigger guard is scroll engraved with unique original gold dog and gold inlaid grass on bow and long tang trigger guard is scroll and wave engraved with SN at center. Bbls with 1-1/4" scroll wedges on sides. Accompanied by an L.C.S.C.A. factory letter confirming this gun in its current configuration and shipped May 6, 1948. Copy of the original ledger lists this serial number grade as "Monogram" which is crossed out and is subsequently written "Crown", the highest grade offered at the time. Many orders from this L.C.Smith Gun Co. reorganization period were filled using re-purposed pre-WWII components, in this case a "Monogram" engraved action. The letter goes on to state that this is the only observed Crown grade that does not have a gold Crown in the top lever. The orig gold work on the trigger guard also being unique and not known on any other Crown grades known to this cataloger. Bore diameter: left -.613 , right –.612. Bore restrictions: left –.006 IC right – .015 Modified. Wall thickness: left – .038, right – .038. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". 6 lbs 11 oz. PROVENANCE: L.C. Smith Factory Letter. CONDITION: Very Good. Bbls retain approximately 95% of a late factory finish. Receiver retains approximately 40% fading late case colors. Engraving on top of action and barrel markings are light, likely a result from fitting/polishing of older components. Buttstock is excellent with some light scattered handling marks and beginning grain separation behind locks. Wood retains most of an older refreshed finish. Forearm checkering has thinned slightly and retains approximately 98% of its orig finish. Trigger guard retains nearly all of its late factory blue finish. Minor wood loss on bottom right of trigger guard tang. Bores are bright and shiny. Mechanics are fine. This is an extremely rare and interesting example of the post WWII product made by the L.C. Smith Gun Co., one of only six made in the same configuration. 53183-1 JSL (15,000-25,000)