What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 2:29 pm
108.70.31.244

I have a 26" barrel L. C. Smith Field 20 gauage side by side, it has armor steel, S51705A, proof mark and the words "Field 2 3/4 in Chamber" on the underside of the barrel. On top is says LC Smith-20GA-Field Fulton New York USA. I have pictures if that helps, I can email them if needed. It is in original condition without any pitting or rust with mirror bores. Thanks for any info in advance.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Dick Miller on May 9, 2012, 3:31 pm, in reply to "What Model do I have?"
96.235.211.230

Robert, Your gun is a Marlin-era gun, which were made 1946 through 1950 as noted by the "S" prefix in the serial number. Specifically, it was made in mid to late 1948. I have never seen an "A" suffix in the serial number sequence---are you sure its not an "E"? If so, it's an ejector gun.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 5:00 pm, in reply to "What Model do I have?"
108.70.31.244

It is most definetaley an A in the last part of the serial # but what model is it?

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Phil Carr on May 9, 2012, 5:23 pm, in reply to "What Model do I have?"
68.227.252.15

You indicate it is a LC Smith 20 gauge Field. The grade is a Field Grade, which is what the barrels are marked. I think the A marking is why there is a question from Dick. What are the markings on the water table?

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 5:31 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
108.70.31.244

What is a "water table"? I'd be happy to email photos if needed. Thanks again.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Patriot on May 9, 2012, 5:44 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
24.14.160.134

The water table is the flat ledges on the receiver that the flat breech of the barrels rest on when the gun is closed. Always open and close the gun to make sure the hammers are cocked before breaking it apart.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
66.87.74.128

S51705A mpa co

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 6:26 pm, in reply to "What Model do I have?"
66.87.74.128

Here is a pic. I guess that the m[img] [/img]odel is a Field?

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Patriot on May 9, 2012, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
24.14.160.134

That's a first for me, but I'm a relative newbee.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on May 9, 2012, 9:10 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
76.84.67.250

The records show that Serial Numbers 51693 through 51728 (and in a few other places in the FWS numbers) were used twice. The first use of the number has an "A" suffix while there is no letter following the second use of the number. Using a serial number more than once is not uncommon. However, the FWS (Marlin) records are the only ones where an "A" is used on one of the pair. In the earlier books, occasionally three separate shotguns have the same number, and the three entries are crowded onto one line.

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Robert Groff on May 9, 2012, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
66.87.73.28

Thanks for all the great information. Is there no model used on this shotgun?

Re: What Model do I have?

Posted by Tom Archer on May 9, 2012, 11:09 pm, in reply to "Re: What Model do I have?"
173.186.25.4

L.C. Smith only produced two models at the time your gun was manufactured; a hammerless double barrel shotgun, and a hammerless single barrel trap gun. The grade designation of your gun is "Field"; and that grade designation should be stamped atop the barrel. As FYI, Marlin Firearms, noted mostly for the mass production of lever action rifles, has always utilized (at least prior to their recent Remington acquisition of Marlin) an "A" suffix to create a unique serial number whenever a number was accidentally duplicated. I don't believe that such was ever the policy of Hunter Arms, and actually have in my possession a copy of a shipping ledger page from 1895 where the same serial number was assigned to two totally different Grade A-2 guns.