The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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    1920 or 1947? Archived Message

    Posted by Jay Freeman on August 17, 2007, 5:59 pm

    Howdy,

    I just picked up a Field Grade 20ga Featherweight frame. The water table is stamped FIELD, and FW S 197xx. The barrels and forend iron are stamped with just 197xx. The barrels are also stamped ARMOR STEEL. The top of the right barrel is stamped <---L.C. SMITH FIELD GRADE , although this is hard to make out since obviously some light rust was polished off the outside of the barrels (mostly the right one). No marking is visible on the top of the left barrel. The bottom of the barrels also have NP and the NP surrounded by a square stamped. So do I have a 1920 Hunter Arms or a 1947 Marlin? Chambers appear to be 2 3/4" or perhaps a bit longer using the index card method described on this site. The only cosmetic flaw is the worn bluing on the barrels, case hardening is excellent, wood is in good shape with moderate wear, plastic grip cap and buttplate are sound. Bores are mirror bright. It was sold to me by Cabela's as a 1919, but now that I've poked around here I'm not so sure . Given where I bought it I'm sure I paid a bit more than the best possible deal out there, but what would be a fair price, either way? (1920 vs 1947)

    Thanks,

    Jay

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