Posted by David Williamson on December 31, 2014, 7:25 pm, in reply to "L C Smith 10 ga"
Your shotgun was made in 1884. It was made by the L.C. Smith Gun Company, Syracuse, N.Y. There should be a letter stamp on the receivers water table, F the lowest to AA the highest. In 1884 the Quality F was listed at $55.00, quite a sum of money back then. These guns were nicely done with good wood, decent checkering and well made. The lock action was bar action meaning the mainspring was before the action or tumbler.
These guns are still useable once they are examined by a knowledgeable gunsmith that knows L.C. Smiths. One company that sells shells for these is RST, and are listed on their site for vintage guns. http://www.rstshells.com/store/m/1-10-Gauge.aspx