Re: Need info on LC Smith Maker Syracuse NY 10ga. Archived Message
Posted by SGT on December 28, 2008, 9:03 pm, in reply to "Need info on LC Smith Maker Syracuse NY 10ga." |
You have an 1887-1888 era Grade 3 hammerless Smith double. In 1890, the gun works was sold by Smith to the Hunter brothers and the operation moved to Fulton, NY; guns made in Fulton will have a Fulton address on the barrel/barrel rib (with the exception of some of the very earliest examples which must be identified by certain features unique to either the Syracuse or Fulton models). In the early guns, models were made in Quality grades from 2 - 7, with 2 being the lowest and 7 the highest and most expensive. These early Smith guns are seldom encountered in the highest grades (4 - 7) with Qualities 2 and 3 being the most common. These early Syracuse guns are highly sought in the higher grades, and also in high condition lower grades. I won't speculate on the value of your gun (against site rules), but it appears to have very little remaining original finishes and some metal pitting on the frame, both negatives to collectors; your best bet is to have the gun evaluated by a couple of qualified appraisers. As to the "trap grade" buttplate, it has no special significance and was used on most Smith guns from this period. Thanks for sharing those photos.
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