The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

What Did I Purchase?

Posted by Matt Johnson on November 10, 2018, 6:46 pm

Hey Folks,

Thanks for taking the time to check out this post. I picked up this old L.C. Smith on a whim from a local shop. It is in pretty rough shape but I'm hoping it might be able to be refreshed to shootable condition or at least to make an interesting wall hanger. It looks as if the barrels and action are matching numbers with the fore end replaced at some point. First things first will obviously be a thorough dismantle and cleaning as it is fiiiiilthy.

Based on looking at the serial number table I believe it is a 1909 production date? The right hand barrel has some fairly significant pitting, and the left hand barrel has some as well although not as much which I tried to capture in the photos below.

What do the experts think?

Cheers,

Matt

Re: What Did I Purchase?

Posted by Matt Johnson on November 10, 2018, 11:07 pm, in reply to "What Did I Purchase?"

For anyone who might be interested here are some photos of the pitted areas of the bore after a quick cleaning. Very significant improvement, at least visually. The first three photos are of the right barrel which was the worse one, following two are the left barrel.

Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith

Posted by Drew Hause on November 11, 2018, 8:19 am, in reply to "What Did I Purchase?"

Welcome Matt and thanks for making the effort to post excellent images of your new treasure. You have a No. 0 with "good 2 rod damascus" made in 1909. My regular recreational skeet gun is a damascus 16g No. 0 made in 1906.

Several words of both warning and encouragement. The gun is 110 years old. If the barrels are unusable the gun have no value. Please review this document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZIo0y746UsSRZIgRuuxwAbZjSBHitO_EanvwLYc-kGA/edit

Proper evaluation of any vintage barrel (steel or damascus) requires 1. a bore gauge 2. direct visualization of the bore, at least from the breech to 12-18", which mean some kind of bore scope 3. careful measurement of the wall thickness, esp. the end of the chambers, at the forcing cones, and every inch out to 18". All this done by someone with the interest and expertise to do so.

Please also review the FAQ section on the Home Page; esp. the General Information and Restoration and Maintenance documents. The gun has obviously been neglected, and the innards may look worse than the outside. The stock needs to be pulled and the head of the stock examined.

While disassembled, you can get to work cleaning up the external surfaces and the wood. Taking Smith guns apart is not hard, it is the getting them back together that is very difficult, and I would suggest a double gun specialist help you. See http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/15525639

Please be aware that any attempt at "restoration" to a like new condition will cost more than the value of the gun. But hopefully it can be refurbished to using condition.

Let us know if you have specific questions after looking over the FAQs. Take your time and enjoy the adventure

revdoc2@cox.net

Re: What Did I Purchase?

Posted by John Liles on November 11, 2018, 10:07 am, in reply to "What Did I Purchase?"

Wow Matt, what an improvement in the bores after your initial cleaning. I'd bet the barrels check out ok, but Dr. Drews advice on having the wall thickness evaluated is spot-on. The position of the top lever would indicate that the action still has lots of miles left on it, and the condition of the screw slots would indicate that no ham handed ding dongs have been into the gun. Where are you from, we might have a member nearby that could give the gun a once over in terms of wall thickness and an internal check-up. If nothing else someone might chime in with a tried and trusted Smith smith nearby.
John

Re: Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith

Posted by Matt Johnson on November 11, 2018, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith"

Hey Drew,

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I will absolutely heed your advice and have the barrels checked for wall thickness by someone with a lot more expertise than myself.

I've read through the FAQ and will now attempt to polish the bores with the ScotchBrite and 0000 Steel Wool method as it's what I have available.

According to the FAQ the recommended method for removing the surface rust on damascus barrels is with white chalk and gun oil. Would that be the best method to use for these barrels with fairly significant rusting or would it be best to start with something like 0000 steel wool and oil on the exterior as well or will that damage the damascus finish?

Cheers,

Matt

Re: What Did I Purchase?

Posted by Matt Johnson on November 11, 2018, 1:09 pm, in reply to "Re: What Did I Purchase?"

Hey John,

I was quite happy with how they looked after just a quick cleaning with some bore solvent and brass brush. Came out much better than I had anticipated. This poor thing hadn't seen a cleaning in what I can only assume has been decades, there were even cobwebs inside the barrels that didn't show up in the photos!

I am located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was thinking to try and use a gunsmith relatively close to me by the name of Stuart Newby of S J Newby Gunsmiths. As far as I'm aware almost all is work is in double rifles and shotguns and is very highly regarded. However if anyone here knows of someone else around this neck of the woods with the ability to check out the barrels a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Matt

Re: Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith

Posted by Drew Hause on November 11, 2018, 1:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith"

Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner and oil for both the bore and external surfaces Matt, then Nu Finish Car Polish
http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

Re: Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith

Posted by Mark Britton on November 11, 2018, 6:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith"

Matt That gun may have a three position safety. Which means with the safety forward the gun will fire, with the safety rearward the gun will fire. Only when the safety is in the middle its on safe.

Re: What Did I Purchase?

Posted by Mark Britton on November 12, 2018, 7:03 pm, in reply to "Re: What Did I Purchase?"

Matt my two cents is not in order PLEASE read above. Thanks Mark

Re: What Did I Purchase?

Posted by Matt Johnson on November 13, 2018, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: What Did I Purchase?"

Hey Mark,

You are correct it definitely has the 3 position safety which appears to be in working order thankfully.

Cheers,

Matt

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