Re: LC Smith 4E
Posted by Tom Archer on June 24, 2023, 10:20 am, in reply to "
LC Smith 4E"
With all due respect Friend, these photos illustrate a very poor restoration; and even though a 4-E is a relatively rare model, I sincerely hope you didn't pay a premium. From the photos it appears that forend wood is original less the checkering which has been sanded away. The butt stock is not original and is poorly inletted; also, this gun was originally shipped with a pistol grip stock as is evident by the fact that the pistol grip guard tang has been straightened and fitted to this English style stock. The gun appears to have other issues; but I would encourage you to have the barrels checked as they appear to have been hot blued. If so, and not thoroughly cleaned and bluing salts neutralized afterwards, the chemicals in the bluing salts will begin to dissolve the solder holding barrel ribs in place; loose ribs are not good. As Drew suggested, a research letter should confirm the actual gun grade, original barrel length, and the ship date (which would be pre-1913). Just observations and suggestions and I wish your well.
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