The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Drew Hause on April 18, 2019, 9:34 am

The meaning of a 'R' AFTER the serial number is uncertain but may indicate the A.P. Curtis Forend Fastener used c.1912 to 1920.

12g 1914 FW Field

1910 20g 00 FW with the standard snap-on FE

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on April 18, 2019, 12:55 pm, in reply to "The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("
Edited by board administrator April 18, 2019, 12:56 pm

Drew:

I think that the R suffix simply means that that the shotgun has extractors rather than ejectors. During that manufacturing period, one column of the ledgers contained an "E" or "R". Earlier and later, nothing was recorded in that column other than an "E". I suppose that if you had "E" which was used from the start, there was no reason to use another letter to indicate extractor. I think that the "R" stood for "regular" or some similar term.

To test this idea, I checked with 15-20 people who had requested research letters for shotguns made during this period to see if their shotguns had the Curtis forend release. About half had the Curtis, and the other half did not. But, all had extractors.

Drew, this may be one of the things we never know, but I am interested in learning if there are any unaltered shotguns with the letter "R" as a SUFFIX to the serial number that have automatic ejectors.

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Stanley Hackett on April 18, 2019, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

I've got a Field Grade with a Curtis forend. Has extractors, no "R." Just the serial number and "Field."

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Roger Domer on April 18, 2019, 10:23 pm, in reply to "Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

I have a 12 gauge, Curtis forearm, serial # 355732 R, plus a FIELD printed below the serial number. It has extractors. Nice shotgun. Bought this previously neglected shotgun at Bart’s in Glen Burnie MD. Must have been sitting in someone’s closet for 3 or 4 decades. But, under the dust there was a heck of a shooter. HAPPY TRAILS. RLD

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Robert Marshall on April 22, 2019, 2:50 pm, in reply to "The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

I'm looking at Trap gun with a "RE" before the serial number.

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Tom Archer on April 22, 2019, 8:26 pm, in reply to "Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

Robert
An "RE" serial number prefix is factory code for:
R - Denotes standard size frame as opposed to a Featherweight or "FW" frame;
E - Denotes that this gun was originally shipped with optional automatic ejectors.

With the exception of the "R", "FW" and "E" prefix symbols, not other factory code prefix stamps are included with Smith serial numbers until the company is acquired by Marlin. Marlin only produced Smith guns on the featherweight frame, but these later guns also feature another prefix stamp "S" to denote the gun was produced under Marlin ownership; therefore all Marlin era guns are prefix stamped "FWS", and Marlin era guns with auto ejectors "FWSE".

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Mike Harris on April 23, 2019, 9:14 am, in reply to "Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

After looking at my curtis forend guns this past week, they are all extractor guns. Mike

Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :(

Posted by Mark Britton on April 23, 2019, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Re: The mystery of the 'R' suffix :("

My 20ga OO serial # 4322 has a Curtis forend and a R after the serial number.

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