Factory installed skeleton butts on Smith guns are very uncommon; but were always an option on special order in spite of the fact that I haven't noted any period catalog references. The lowest grade gun with such plate I'm aware of is an early 1890's vintage quality 2 gun. A PGCA member has reported seeing orders from Hunter Arms for skeleton butt plates in the Parker records, so maybe Parker was the source for a Smith gun skeleton butt when special ordered? I have a copy of a 1941 engraving cost schedule created by Albert Kraus and in that schedule is noted the shop cost of engraving skeleton butts in all grades; both pre and post 1913 models. At any rate, an original LC Smith with a factory skeleton butt is a great find.
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