Posted by James Brown on June 16, 2009, 10:35 am
74.244.93.39

Mr. Stubbendieck: I have a Smith Specialty Grade .410 serial number FWS 56059. I also have a Cody letter which indicates this gun was started Nov. 1949; finished March 1950 and shipped May 1950.A friend who knows something of Smiths thinks it may be the last Specialty .410 made. I would be willing to pay a reasonable fee to find out. Can you help? J. Brown

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Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on June 16, 2009, 1:08 pm, in reply to "Specialty .410"
129.93.77.10

The last .410 L.C. Smith was finished on May 25, 1950. It was an Ideal Grade, and the serial number was 56658. The .410 with the highest serial number(56790) was a Field Grade finished on April 5, 1950. Both of these shotguns (along with your 56059) were in a large group that was started in November 1949.

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Posted by James Brown on June 16, 2009, 2:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Specialty .410"
74.244.93.39

Thanks very much. Is it possible to tell if there is a Specialty Grade with a higher number than the one I have? Send me a bill. J. Brown PO Box 1090 McDonough, Ga. 30253

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Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on June 16, 2009, 3:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Specialty .410"
129.93.77.10

James: I misread your original message. I thought you were asking about the last .410 rather than the last .410 in Specialty Grade. I had the information about the last .410 in my office. The records are on my computer at home, and I can usually access them from my office. It won't work today. Someone in my family may have shut the computer off. I will be home late tonight and will try to check on it then. Jim

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Posted by Tom Salzer on June 18, 2009, 8:23 am, in reply to "Specialty .410"
71.184.250.143

Your .410 Specialty may be the last one. This brings a question to my mind. Based on my limited view of the L.C.Smith line, I have formed the opinion that the finish quality of the guns diminished after Hunter Arms went belly-up. I base this opinion mainly on the field grade guns I have seen, made before and after the bankruptcy. Since James has a very late .410 Specialty and I have the same gun from the early 40's, I would be interested in comparing photos that illustrate workmanship features such as metal finish and wood shaping, especially around the lock plates. I'd like to hear other opinions about this theory because I haven't heard it discussed.

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Posted by David W on June 18, 2009, 9:16 am, in reply to "Re: Specialty .410"
68.83.121.114

Workmanship is all about hours/money. It not only applies to guns, but to everything else made. As for the workmanship on these guns, I believe it started to diminish before 1913. Some of the nicest guns built were when John Hunter first took over and produced guns in 1892. Some of the early Fulton guns with the Syracuse style bottom ribs, the distinct style checkering, pointed raised panels at the end of the side plates, the little downward lip on the forend, wood to metal fit was first class. These are some of the things that were lost after 1913. These guns were still production guns, but a lot of hand work went into them to give them that custom made look.

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Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on June 18, 2009, 11:44 am, in reply to "Workmanship"
129.93.102.57

Mr. Brown does have the last .410 Specialty. His beat out another that was finished one day earlier. I sent this information to him by e-mail a couple of days ago.

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Posted by James Brown on June 18, 2009, 12:35 pm, in reply to "Oldest .410 Specialty"
74.244.93.39

Jim: I apologize, your email was mistakenly deleted. Could you please send again. Thank you for the information and for your time and trouble. Don't forget to send a bill. My camera is not available right now but I have a couple of stored photos if I can figure out how to post them. I tried posting a photo some time back following the suggestions in the FAQ section but couldn't get things to work. James

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Posted by Jim Stubendieck on June 18, 2009, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Oldest .410 Specialty"
129.93.77.10

There is no charge. The information was easy to find, and the LCSCA is pleased to be able to help its members.

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Posted by Tom Salzer on June 19, 2009, 3:00 pm, in reply to "Workmanship"
75.67.200.83

I appreciate your point of view. I plan to post photos of my 40s .410 Specialty when I return from my trip. I think that although minimum workmanship standards may have been relaxed after 1913, that didn't prevent more experienced and dedicated workers from producing many exquisite shotguns. This is the reason I enjoy examining every Smith I can get my hands on.

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Posted by Bill Murphy on June 20, 2009, 8:41 am, in reply to "Re: Workmanship"
173.66.202.70

I agree with Tom S. Even guns from the late 40s are often well fitted although some are not.

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Posted by James Brown on June 29, 2009, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Specialty .410"
74.244.93.39

Jim: Recieved my letter today. Very well done and prompt. Thanks, James

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