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L C Smith
wfk
Member Posts: 107 ✭✭
I have an L C Smith 16ga.(at least 16ga shells fit in the chambers), SN68xx marked on splinter forearm along with Pat't May 28, 1901, Barrels, watertable along with what looks like Pat't Mar 28 83 and a couple of numbers below but can't make them out. Has double triggers, auto ejectors, bright shiny bores, unique pattern on both barrels, no sign of blueing anywhere, Says L C Smith on each side and some light scroll engraving, Stock has no cracks, great checkering and excellent wood to metal fit. Hard buttplate with no markings. Can't seem to find and information as to grade or approximate value so any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Walt
Thanks
Walt
Comments
You have a damascus tubed gun. A very nice gun, but considered by many as unsafe to shoot with any load. And never to be loaded with smokeless powder.
Look on the watertable and on the barrel flats for a serial number. The grade will appear there also. Elcees produced at the time your gun was manufactured will bear grade in numbers. A bit later they went to letter grades. For instance: FW12345 would indicate a featherweight field gun. Yours might be a "0" or a "1" ... or might lack any designation depending on the year of manufacture and the grade. And obviously, a "0" is just a field gun. Anything above that will have some engraving.
One more question... Ejectors or extractors? Most (but not all) field guns were made with extractors.
And one further comment upon a reread of your post... I now believe you have an "Ideal" grade gun based upon the engraving described on the sideplates. That would fit in much better with ejectors.
Nord
Walt
As your info stands I'll still make the same call, but in slightly different terms. And you still didn't make clear... ejectors or extractors?
Your gun (by the numbers supplied) is a field gun, but a nice one. I'd place it in about the same class as the later "Ideal" guns. Value will be reduced because of the tube construction... But still a very nice gun!
Nord
The nearer to perfect your gun is, the more collector interest there will be. If the gun is at above 90% NRA, then a fair method of determining a ballpark price might be as follows:
Field grade Elcee 90%+ in 12 or 16 ga. $550.00 to $650.00
Ideal Grade or equiv. add 20%
Ejectors add 20%
Damascus Tubes deduct at least $200.00
What we end up with is a gun that probably isn't too far out of the $500.00 class. Again, just an opinion based on the local market, a bit of experience, and your description.
Nord
Since there is no sign of blueing anywhere, was the gun ever blued? and could I use barrel inserts and shoot 410ga. shells?
Walt
The gun will certainly fit inserts, but there's no reason to be afraid of black powder loads if the tubes are in the kind of shape I think they are.
It's nice to know that you care.
Nord