Posted by SGT on January 29, 2008, 1:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Grade I.D."
What you are looking at is an LC Smith hammerless model manufactured in 1893, The "wavy lines all the way down to the end" of the barrels is the curly pattern of the Damascus tubes comprising those barrels. The dogshead on the forearm is not actually "carved" into the wood, but is instead a bakelite insert with the dogshead figure moulded into same; a standard feature on all pre-1913 non-auto-ejector model graded Smith guns. Grade 2 guns are typically adorned with some simple line engraving on the lockplates (and other borders), as well as a small flourish of scroll engraving in the middle of each lockplate. A gun this early will be manufactured on the "regular", or standard size gun frame (sometimes referred to as the "R" frame). These early Grade 2 guns are solid old guns and can usually be safely fired with CORRECT period handloads (or factory shells manufactured specifically for vintage guns), provided the gun has been checked by a qualified gunsmith and found to be sound. These early lower grades are not rare, so generally don't command premium values unless found to be in near new condition with all/most remaining finishes and no aftermarket alterations. That's about all we can tell you without seeing the gun personally.