I own a field grade 20 and am very fond of the gun for numerous reasons and finding this website has only enhanced that enjoyment. Last weekend I went to a nearby dealer to see if I couldn't do business on a 12 ga. Smith. It's been there awhile and I recently posted a comment here about buying a gun in not so good condition (beat up stock mostly). So after talking to the salesperson he directed me to another counter to speak with a "gun trader" so I took the old 12 over there and got in line. The person ahead of me was trying to make a deal on a shotgun and it was in three pieces on the counter. Guess what kind of gun?? An Ideal grade LC Smith and it looked to be in mint condition. I listened to the bargaining and prayed they wouldn't strike a deal. After a bit of haggling (and my praying) they didn't and he walked away. I immediately stepped forward and asked if they would sell the gun I was carrying for less, they said no, and off I flew in pursuit of the gentlemen leaving the other gun in the traders hand. Found him, had a nice conversation and we struck a deal. He was traveling on vacation and as I didn't have any real money with me, the banks were closed he promised to bring the gun to my home as he traveled back to his home. I worried all weekend but felt that the handshake agreement was sufficient and it was and I now own two LC Smith's. It's a nice Ideal Grade Featherweight 16 with ejectors with nary a scratch and am I happy and the gentleman is happy that the gun found a good home (so to speak). A couple of minutes either way and that beauty would have gone somewhere else. And I think we became friends. A further coincidence is that the serial numbers are only 150 apart 2028XX to 2029XX. After he dropped off the gun yesterday I made out a check and joined your LC Smith Collectors group. Now I have to find a 12 ga. as I have a couple of thousand reloads and don't own a 12 this year for the first time in 52 years (I was 14 when I bought a 12 ga. Ithaca with the first money I earned (which was 40 bucks and represented 20 days of washing dishes at a boys camp)). Sorry for being so long winded.