The 5E Smith is indeed a very beautiful and desirable double gun, and many thanks for sharing. Way back in mid-1980's I purchased a Grade 5E, a gun advertised by Hershel Chaddick in the "Gun List"; the ad noted that this 32" barreled Smith gun had a few modifications but was a "great shooter, was tight and featured great engraving; price $795". In those days we didn't have the benefit of on-line pictures; but from studying the Brophy book, I knew I wanted a high-grade Smith, 5E's had beautiful engraving, were kinda' rare, and at $795 the price was just "right" to a bottom feeder collector like me when compared to other 5E examples priced at $2500 and up at the time. Well, when something is priced below market there's usually a good reason why and this gun was no exception; my new 5E was a wreck with more issues than I care to describe; but bores were excellent and the engraving was indeed "good" just as described! Any normal person would've returned the gun; but not me, I felt it my "mission" to restore and save this gun for the next generation. But I was also on an accumulation binge at the time and more interested in new acquisitions than restorations; so the 5E went to the back of the safe till one afternoon when it somehow became the topic of conversation with gunsmith Buck Hamlin. I'd also acquired a BH Grade Damascus Parker during this time frame, a pretty gun but with a stock too short for good shooting; and as we discussed those guns, Buck offered to trade a complete restoration of the 5E to include exhibition English walnut in exchange for the Parker. We traded and I was quite pleased with the end results; the Smith was beautiful, was stocked to my specs, and was a great shooting gun and I used the Smith with great success on late season dove because of its long barrels and tight chokes. Unfortunately I have no good pics of this gun; the poor photo below is dated 9/92 and shows the gun with a limit of mourning dove, but none of the beautiful engraving and Monogram grade checkering and ribbon work detail is discernable. On the other hand, one can clearly see some of the fantastic color and figure in its English walnut stock. This gun remains a significant part of the most memorable dove hunts I've ever enjoyed, and holds first place on the lists of the most amazing shots I ever pulled off; but I was never satisfied in those days and stupidly traded the gun away many years ago. I no longer have a clue as to its whereabouts; but if I ever see this gun again it'll be immediately recognizable!
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