Posted by David W on February 2, 2007, 11:52 am, in reply to "12ga. No.4 LC Smith"
Scott, Since you didn't get any replies, I thought I would try and help. First thing if you could put the serial number down, it would help. The 1900's is about right. Grade 4 was a high quality gun. As far as George W. Clay being an engraver for Hunter Arms, highly unlikely. Most engravers if they did put any kind of personalization would be where it blended into the engraving. This gentlemen's name is not listed in the new book "The Legend Lives" As far as value, it is all on condition. When introduced in 1892, the No.4 was priced at $150. The rare early type has a dog in an oval panel located at the very rear of the lock plate with a scroll design located forward of this oval, Brophy states that the work looked off-balance. It was corrected on the second type design. Without serial number cannot look up values. There was a Quality 4 with serial numbers from Syracuse guns 15,000-22,500 and then Fulton guns from 30,000-46,000 and 500-3,173. Of the later Grade 4 there were only 455 manufactured, and the price reflects it, 95% condition, $6,000, down to 50%=$2,800. So the serial number will tell a lot. Good luck, and hope you will become a member of the LCSCA.