The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Painted Barrel

Posted by Ethan Dixon on March 24, 2019, 8:15 pm

I have just received a 12 gauge field grade L.C.Smith from a friend of mine the serial number shows its from 1914 the barrels are painted black and i was wondering if this is factory or if someone in its history painted it can anyone tell me

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on March 24, 2019, 9:06 pm, in reply to "Painted Barrel"

Field Grades had rust-blued Armor fluid steel barrels. I am not aware of a record that any were painted at the factory.

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Ethan Dixon on March 24, 2019, 9:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Well if it was done later it is done very well

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Tom Archer on March 25, 2019, 7:54 am, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Most likely done to knock the shine off the barrels after the blued finish had worn from usage. Painted barrels are seen from time to time and usually done to reduce shine, hide rust, or in an attempt to improve overall gun appearance prior to selling.

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Ethan Dixon on March 25, 2019, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Thank you

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by John Liles on March 25, 2019, 5:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Hey there Ethan,

In addition to the other great insight shared so far, there was a period where anything Damascus was deemed undesirable/unsafe by those who sold the "new" Fluid Steel Barrels. This, in spite of the fact that properly fed and maintained Damascus barrels are regularly shot and enjoyed by many vintage gunners today. It's quite possible that the barrels on your gun were painted to HIDE the dreaded Damascus/Twist barrels that your gun may have been born with.

A research letter from our Association might clear this up.

In any event, if you chose to dig further into the as-built configuration of the subject gun, and found it to be of Damascus/Twist lineage, if it was cared for properly, it should still be in the game!

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Ethan Dixon on March 25, 2019, 6:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Would the barrels say Damascus or is there another name for it?

Re: Painted Barrel

Posted by Tom Archer on March 25, 2019, 7:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

Smith guns with fluid steel barrels were always marked by steel type (Armor, Royal, London, Crown, Nitro, etc.) either on top of the barrels (post-1913); or on pre-1913 vintage Smiths, the bottoms of the barrels just ahead of the barrel flats (highest grades Smith guns with Whitworth steel barrels most often featured the words Whitworth Steel engraved atop the barrels or on the top rib). Composite barrel steel type (Damascus, twist, Chain, etc.) used for Smith gun barrels were never marked/identified on Smith gun barrels or barrel flats; so the simple rule of thumb to remember is that Smith fluid steel barrel type (quality) is always identified somewhere on a Smith gun, while Damascus (composite steel) barrel type/quality is NEVER identified on a Smith gun; that determination must be made visually.

Armor Steel mark

Posted by Drew Hause on March 25, 2019, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Painted Barrel"

What Tom said

Re: Armor Steel mark

Posted by Ethan Dixon on March 26, 2019, 5:58 am, in reply to "Armor Steel mark"

Mine says armour steel under the barrels when you disassemble it

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