Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Mills on February 15, 2012, 2:06 pm
64.203.210.113

I am going to look at 2 Smiths tonight that I am told have the same serial number on all parts of both guns. They are 12 gauge field grades, I am told. Is this as unusual as I think? Would appreciate thoughts.

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by David Williamson on February 15, 2012, 3:28 pm, in reply to "Smiths with matching serial numbers"
174.49.147.138

There are guns that the serial numbers were used again. Finding two guns with the same numbers is pretty doubt full. Maybe these guns were special ordered and the owner wanted them serial numbered alike. Very interesting, please take some pictures and post them.

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on February 15, 2012, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers"
76.84.67.250

Ocassionally, I see two shotguns with the same serial number in the ledgers. Usually, a lower grade, such as Field or Ideal, is written on the ledger line and a higher grade is written in a much smaller script above the Field or Ideal. The higher grade will have a later finish date. Do you suppose that they forgot (or didn't record) that a serial number was assigned to a higher grade already in production and stamped the same number on the frame on a shotgun that took only a short time to produce? Then, when the higher grade was completed and they went to record it in the ledgers, they found that the line for the serial number was already filled in forcing them to write the entry for the higher grade above the line.

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Mills on February 15, 2012, 6:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers"
74.182.133.51

They are both 12 gauge Field grades. Seeing is believing. I have pictures to prove if I could figure out how to post photos.

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Mills on February 15, 2012, 6:48 pm, in reply to "Smiths with matching serial numbers"
74.182.133.51

Looking forward to sending out research letters on these.

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Drew Hause on February 15, 2012, 7:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers"
68.2.21.200

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Mills on February 16, 2012, 6:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers"
74.182.133.51

Wow. Thanks. I could not figure out how to post them on this forum

Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers

Posted by Mills on February 17, 2012, 6:41 am, in reply to "Re: Smiths with matching serial numbers"
74.182.133.51

Research letters going out today. Hoping we can solve this mystery