Posted by Austin on October 6, 2009, 2:35 pm
166.70.235.56

I recently acquired a couple of rifles from my late grandfather. The only one I'm not familiar with is an L.C. Smith, side-by-side double-barrel 12-gauge. It appears that somebody (probably my grandfather) has had the "Firing pins" removed. No doubt placed in some long-forgotten place, never to be seen again. Is there a place to get replacements for these? What would something like that cost? I'm a somewhat proficient gunsmith, but I've never seen what these pins look like. If somebody could post a picture of what the pins look like, I could probably build my own, if they are not available elsewhere. At any rate, I'm curious to learn as much as I can about this shotgun. I'll probably not shoot it, as I don't want to diminish whatever value it has. Although, I'll probably never sell it either. Stamped on the receiver, under the frame, is what I believe to be the serial number: H 120478 On top of the left barrel, the words: "HUNTER ARMS CO INC M'E'R'S FULTON NY. USA And on each side of the receiver, simply "L.C.SMITH I know the site doesn't offer "appraisals" but does anybody have a "ballpark" figure of what something like this is worth? Even something broad like "<$1000", or "$2,000-$3000" would be helpful. I'm just trying to get a feel for whether it would be worthwhile to pay to have it appraised, and whether or not I should bother with insurance. I've got it stored in a safe. Probably going to get a silicone gun sock to keep it in, unless anybody thinks that would be a bad idea. Any thoughts, comments, or information about this piece would be greatly appreciated. I can post other pictures of different areas of the gun, if anybody would like.

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Posted by Shotgun Tom on October 6, 2009, 4:18 pm, in reply to "What have I got, and what do I do about..."
96.32.140.16

It appears you have an "F" Grade Smith hammer gun; "F" grade because it appears to have fluid steel barrels. The F Grade hammer was the least expensive Smith gun ever made ($20 retail), and thousands were sold; but examples with remaining case color on the frame are very rare (most were used as a tool and worn out). Because it does have case colors and other original remaining finishes, it will have much more value than a well-used example; but it still has some problems. You most likely won't find a replacement set of firing pins; but any good double gunsmith can turn and fit a new set on the lathe. It also appears there are flecks of rust on the barrels which should be removed. From your pics it's difficult to tell much of anything else about the gun; but I would suggest you send it to a good double gunsmith and have it thoroughly cleaned and firing pins installed. Storing in a gun sock inside a safe is OK; but make sure your safe has a dehumidifer else your rust problems may continue. As to value, there are collectors looking for higher condition Smith hammerguns; so I would speculate that properly cleaned and pins replaced it's value would be in the $1500-2000 range. That said, gun markets fluctuate all the time; so the true acutal value is always determined by the market at time of sale. Thanks for sharing.

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Posted by David W on October 6, 2009, 5:05 pm, in reply to "What have I got, and what do I do about..."
68.83.121.114

Austin, First welcome to the site. I'm guessing this gun is from 1928. They started designating an H after the serial number in 1918, supposedly to identify the receiver as a hammer gun. (I don't know how you could confuse the difference between a hammer and hammerless receiver). Your pictures are a little dark, so another guess is that the barrels are Royal Steel as Damascus barrels had to be special ordered then. Looks to have a lot of case color left. Price is all about condition, but in my opinion I don't think it would bring $2k. This is a homemade firing pin, but not by me. If I were to do it I would radius the inside corners instead of a sharp 90 deg angle.

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Posted by David W on October 6, 2009, 5:08 pm, in reply to "Firing Pin dimensions"
68.83.121.114

Forgot to mention, Brophy's book mentions that the firing pins (no drawings of hammer pins) were made out of tool steel, so drill rod would be fine.

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Posted by Austin on October 6, 2009, 8:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Firing Pin dimensions"
166.70.235.56

Thanks for those! That's about what I envisioned would be required. I was planning on using a piece of drill stock turned on the lathe. I'll see what I can do about the rust as well. Just don't want to do anything to devalue it, being that I've heard many a' horror story about the clueless person who refinished X, Y, or Z, collectors item, only to ruin the collectibility of it. Not interested in selling it, but I'd like to keep this small "treasure" as much of a treasure as possible. Thanks again for the responses!

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Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on October 7, 2009, 10:18 am, in reply to "Re: Firing Pin dimensions"
129.93.77.10

This page of the L.C. Smith website has a small (and not very clear) illustration of a hammergun firing pin. http://www.lcsmith.org/images/parts/hammerparts41309.jpg

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Posted by David W on October 7, 2009, 1:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Firing Pin dimensions"
68.83.121.114

Sorry about the other firing pin, I went and took one from my 16 ga. It will be the same size as a 12ga., and I believe the 10 ga. would be the same also. One thing, make sure when you put the retaining screw in for the firing pin, don't bottom it out and make sure the pin can move back into the receiver or else it will drag on the shell, mainly the primer because it sticks out farther.

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Posted by Austin on October 7, 2009, 7:00 pm, in reply to "Actual firing pin & dimensions"
166.70.235.56

Brilliant! That's perfect! Thanks again, David. --Austin

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Posted by Bill Murphy on October 8, 2009, 10:30 am, in reply to "Re: Actual firing pin & dimensions"
173.66.192.148

Don't we need a spring in there somewhere?

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Posted by David W on October 8, 2009, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: Actual firing pin & dimensions"
68.83.121.114

Bill, I'm new to the hammer guns, but where would the spring go and what purpose would it have. The shell is holding the firing pin back. If this is not where you mean, I am at a loss as to where it goes.

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