| Re: My Great-grandfather's L.C. Smith
Posted by David W  on November 1, 2009, 6:41 am, in reply to "My Great-grandfather's L.C. Smith"
174.57.97.95
Paul, welcome. Your great grandfather's L.C. Smith would be from before 1898. Without the serial number, I am just going by looking at the side plate. It uses what is called a "Center Draft Lock". It also has the early "high hammers" that were used up until 1898. The barrels would be Stub Twist.
These features were found on early (post-1886)guns that had L.C. Smith Maker written on barrels and serial numbers in the 15xxx, 17xxx, 21xxx and 25xxx serial numbers. These are Syracuse guns and there are no listings for them. If yours is different, go to the column on the left, scroll down to Shotguns, turn red, opens and go to Year of Manufacture and look up serial number.
The side plates like yours changed in 1898, and yours I believe is earlier. Common term for yours would be 5 pin, two screw, center draft lock, Type l hammers.
Many of these early guns, the barrels are pitted from the type of primers and black powder used then. As far as restoring it, have it examined and cleaned thoroughly. You can still buy the firing pins or have someone make them for you. These old guns can still be fired after being examined, and use low pressure-low velocity loads in them under 7500 p.s.i.
Good luck and hope you become a member of this fine organization.
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