I am trying to find out some information on a shotgun that belongs to my mother-in-law. The shotgun may be old and valuable, or it may just be old.
It is a double-barrel L.C. Smith, 30 inch barrel, double-hammer 12 gauge gun. It appears to be a Syracuse pre-1886 hammer gun, bar action Center Draft Lock. It has double triggers also. Just forward of the breach, between the barrels it has identifying marks that state the following: L.C.SMITH, MAKER. SYRACUSE, N.Y. STUB TWIST. Both side plates have L.C. SMITH stamped, just forward of the hammer location. Underneath the firearm the following is stamped: PAT'D JUNE.1.-80. It has a serial number 11492. From what I can determine on the internet, the gun was made in Syracuse NY in the early 1880s, just not sure of the exact date.
What other information do you need to help me more closely identify this gun. Thanks for your comments!