The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

8ga

Posted by Robert Dana on February 22, 2022, 4:46 pm

I believe I have located a quality 3 8ga LC Smith.Serial no16053. It's a syracuse made gun but was made with no safety or any provisions for one. Does anyone know what the significance is of the non safety feature?If anyone has answers you can contact me at rdana50@gmail.com
The gun needs someTLC but is generally pretty decent.

Re: 8ga

Posted by Tom Archer on February 22, 2022, 9:39 pm, in reply to "8ga "

No safety guns are not common but not unusual either; generally most such guns were ordered as competition guns where the shooter wanted no auto safety to insure no accidentally lost birds that could mean the difference between winning and losing. The 8-bore was not cataloged as available during the Syracuse manufacturing era, but a handful are known to exist; yours could represent a "new" discovery; but would not be the first no-safety Smith 8-bore known to exist. Jim Stahl has our best records on 8-bore Smiths and I'm sure he'll join shortly and share his data.

Re: 8ga

Posted by David Williamson on February 23, 2022, 6:04 am, in reply to "8ga "

From my records that is the earliest serial number I have for an 8 ga. The serial numbers for Syracuse hammerless guns started at 16000 in August 1886.
Could you please give me the barrel length and possibly the weight when and if you get it, thanks.

Re: 8ga

Posted by Robert Dana on February 24, 2022, 7:56 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "
Edited by board administrator February 25, 2022, 5:58 am

the barrels are 32inch and i'd guess it weighs around 13 lbs Why would anyone want a gun that heavy for competition if that's why it has no safety?

Re: 8ga

Posted by Jim Stahl on February 24, 2022, 8:43 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Mr. Dana: The gun you have located is indeed the earliest (lowest Smith serial numbered 8ga gun to surface. Prior to 16053, the lowest serial numbered gun was 16463 - a Quality 2. Your Quality 3 is currently only the 4th Quality/Grade 3 to surface.
Two are known by their serial number designation in the records books, one-gun, serial number 40542 is known to exist in a prominent collection. There is only one other 8ga known to exist without a safety. 8ga Smith guns were used in the live pigeon rings and for trap.

Re: 8ga

Posted by Drew Hause on February 25, 2022, 6:13 am, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Jim: do you have a reference to a shoot in which 8g were allowed?

This is the earliest "Rules" I've found; from the 1883 "Clay Pigeon Tournament Rules" the largest bore allowed was 10g
https://books.google.com/books?id=p0QhAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA333&lpg

National Gun Association in 1885. Loads were limited to 1 1/4 oz. and guns not larger than 10g.
https://archive.org/details/historyconstitut00nati/page/34/mode/2up

The 1890 American Shooting Association Rules
https://archive.org/stream/fieldcovertrapsh01boga#page/458/mode/2up
No limit on powder
In single bird (target) shooting the rise shall be:
Eighteen yards for ten-bore guns; limit 1 1/4 oz.
Sixteen yards for twelve-bore guns; limit 1 1/8 oz.
Fourteen yards for fourteen and sixteen bore guns; limit 1 oz.
Thirteen yards for twenty-bore guns; limit 7/8 oz.

It is of course possible that club shoots could have allowed 8g.

Re: 8ga

Posted by Jim Stahl on February 25, 2022, 8:00 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Drew: I will yield to your expert research. I can't give you a thoroughly researched answer until I get home and have an opportunity to consult my library.
Thank you for your detailed posting. Jim

Re: 8ga

Posted by Jim Stahl on February 28, 2022, 7:14 am, in reply to "8ga "

Robert: Please email me, I would like to get the detail on your 8ga find. Thank you, Jim
eightbore@hotmail.com

Re: 8ga

Posted by Brian Sloan on February 9, 2023, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Anyone owning a 8ga LC Smith I'd be interested in conversation. I own one myself. It's hard to find owners to talk to. My email is brianosloan@gmail.com

Re: 8ga

Posted by Craig Larter on February 10, 2023, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Brian I sent you an email. I shoot 8ga on a regular basis. There is a small group that gets together at the Southern and Hausmann's to shoot and show and tell their 8 ga guns. My email is superfoxcollector@gmail.com

Re: 8ga

Posted by Craig Thompson on March 24, 2023, 2:06 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

It appears as if we’ve got three venues for events this year ! First in Sanford that you mentioned , next at Rock Mountain in late July and as of yesterday early September at the Vintage Cup being held in Wellsville PA .

Re: 8ga

Posted by Charlie Brooks on March 24, 2023, 6:14 pm, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Will your event at the Vintagers be open to people with other brand guns? Thanks Charlie.

Re: 8ga

Posted by Craig Thompson on March 25, 2023, 6:58 am, in reply to "Re: 8ga "

Pastor Charlie , it isn’t my event . I just asked them if they’d have an 8 gauge event . I assume they’ll have a trophy of some type . But to answer your question I think it’s open to all .

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