The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Pushbutton Forend

Posted by W. C. Rushton on May 29, 2015, 9:00 pm

I picked up a 20-bore LC the other day, ser.#11443R, Field grade, 28 in.barrels, 1914 manufacture, I believe. This Elsie came to me with a push-button forearm release, it being at the front of the forearm, like you would expect to see on many English doubles. It also uses the normal J-spring such as a standard snap-off forearm uses. It is plainly not something that was added on---it is the original forearm. Were these at all common to L. C. Smiths, or is rather rare? I haven't seen many Smiths with this type forearm release---Anybody familiar with this type forearm?

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by David Williamson on May 30, 2015, 5:49 am, in reply to "Pushbutton Forend"

W.C. the story goes that non-ejector for-ends were being lost in the field and Hunter Arms came up with the push button release-Curtis for-end to stop this from happening. It started in the 1912's and went to around 1919 when it was replaced by the banjo type for-end release.
It has been stated that it was a patent infringement, but my opinion is it was a cost factor as it took many man hours to produce this.
The only non-ejector grade that did not receive the banjo for-end release was the Field Grade.

For reasons unknown the "R" suffix is usually associated with the Curtis for-end release.

Newest Blue Book of Gun Values adds $200 if you gun has this release.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by W. C. Rushton on May 30, 2015, 7:00 am, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

David.
Thank you very much, Sir, for your timely and knowledgeable response----would it be correct, then, to call it a Curtis-style forearm? Thanks again--------------

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by David Williamson on May 30, 2015, 7:54 am, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

Yes, that is what most call it.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Bill Murphy on June 2, 2015, 5:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

Arthur P. Curtis was a talented designer and held positions at Ithaca, Lefever, and Smith, sometimes as mechanic, sometimes as plant supervisor. He designed and built try guns for Parker, Lefever, Smith, and Ithaca. He wrote technical articles for the American Rifleman on many subjects. His forend release was a neat feature, but not his best effort.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Tom Martin on June 3, 2015, 9:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

The Curtis fore end release would not have been a patent infringement because the Curtis release was issued a patent. Apparently the Curtis release was intended for use on ejector guns, as the drawings for it are found on page 160 of Brophy's Plans and Specifications book, which is part of the section on automatic ejectors, although I have never seen a Curtis on an ejector gun. I actually prefer the Curtis release over the roller release because it is much easier to use and is just as secure as far as I can tell. I prefer the term roller release over Banjo release because the Banjo only refers to the shape of the escutcheon for the release, an the shape of the escutcheon was changed in the '20s to an oval.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Dave Bascue on June 18, 2015, 4:39 am, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

I am not too sure about the Curtis release not being on the field grade. I have a 1917 field grade # 356772R in 12 ga. that has the Curtis release.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by David Williamson on June 18, 2015, 6:09 am, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

It was used on Field Grades from 1912 to sometime in 1919. After this the non-ejector Field Grade only had the "J" spring to hold it on.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Tom Archer on June 18, 2015, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

David,
Don't have an example here at my desk just now; but recall seeing the Curtis forend release on a few Ideals, and a Trap Grade or two also.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by nikos vrouvas on June 19, 2015, 12:11 am, in reply to "Pushbutton Forend"

ideal grade 12ga 22729R 3/24/1920

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by David Williamson on June 19, 2015, 5:48 am, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

You are correct Tom, I myself have a 16 gauge Trap Grade with the Curtis release.
Nikos's Ideal grade is one of the later ones with it. It must have been in the early 20's when the Curtis was replaced by the banjo release on grades above Field.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Bill May on June 20, 2015, 11:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

I've got a 1920 16 gauge Specialty two trigger, extractor with a Curtis Style release with the black dog head insert.

Re: Pushbutton Forend

Posted by Jeff Morris on November 5, 2018, 9:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Pushbutton Forend"

I have an Ideal Grade with a Curtis forend.

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