The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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    Refurbishing a 110 year old Smith Archived Message

    Posted by Drew Hause on November 11, 2018, 8:19 am, in reply to "What Did I Purchase?"

    Welcome Matt and thanks for making the effort to post excellent images of your new treasure. You have a No. 0 with "good 2 rod damascus" made in 1909. My regular recreational skeet gun is a damascus 16g No. 0 made in 1906.

    Several words of both warning and encouragement. The gun is 110 years old. If the barrels are unusable the gun have no value. Please review this document
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZIo0y746UsSRZIgRuuxwAbZjSBHitO_EanvwLYc-kGA/edit

    Proper evaluation of any vintage barrel (steel or damascus) requires 1. a bore gauge 2. direct visualization of the bore, at least from the breech to 12-18", which mean some kind of bore scope 3. careful measurement of the wall thickness, esp. the end of the chambers, at the forcing cones, and every inch out to 18". All this done by someone with the interest and expertise to do so.

    Please also review the FAQ section on the Home Page; esp. the General Information and Restoration and Maintenance documents. The gun has obviously been neglected, and the innards may look worse than the outside. The stock needs to be pulled and the head of the stock examined.

    While disassembled, you can get to work cleaning up the external surfaces and the wood. Taking Smith guns apart is not hard, it is the getting them back together that is very difficult, and I would suggest a double gun specialist help you. See http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/15525639

    Please be aware that any attempt at "restoration" to a like new condition will cost more than the value of the gun. But hopefully it can be refurbished to using condition.

    Let us know if you have specific questions after looking over the FAQs. Take your time and enjoy the adventure

    revdoc2@cox.net

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