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The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Unfamiliar frame stamping

Posted by Mike Poindexter on October 16, 2019, 4:24 pm

I'm looking at a 1941 12 ga FWE Field Grade in really high original condition, and noticed a small stamp or engraving on the left side of the frame. Never seen it before, but I can tell you the edges are sharp--you can feel them with your finger. Anybody ever seen this before? The barrels are 28" armor steel with typical NP proof marks, but they also have "US" stamped on each about 6 inches out, so they are still hidden by the forend. No flaming bomb ordinance cartouche that I can see, but I'm wondering if this is some government armory mark. Nothing on the stock either. thanks.[img]https://

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Re: Unfamiliar frame stamping

Posted by Mike Poindexter on October 16, 2019, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Unfamiliar frame stamping"

The only thing I can find in Houchins' book that offers any clue is on page 18 where he notes that during WWII HA sold 1,506 guns to the Rochester Ordnance Depot for military use. Ive seen the flaming bomb cartouche on several field grade examples allegedly used for skeet training of aerial gunners. Could this be similar ??

Re: Unfamiliar frame stamping

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on October 17, 2019, 9:36 am, in reply to "Unfamiliar frame stamping"
Edited by board administrator October 17, 2019, 9:40 am

If I read the Serial Number correctly (193526), this shotgun was finished in 1941 and shipped to H&D Folsom Arms Company (New York City). The "military" shotguns were shipped in 1942 and 1943 to Rochester Ordnance and are marked with the flaming bomb, crossed cannons, and R.L.B (Col. Roy L. Bowlin). Most feel that the US and USA-F marking found on many shotguns finished in the 1940s are inspectors' marks and not associated with the military.

The next issue of the L.C. Smith Journal (Winter 2019) will contain an article on the military shotguns and a production summary of these interesting shotguns.

Re: Unfamiliar frame stamping

Posted by Mike Poindexter on October 17, 2019, 1:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Unfamiliar frame stamping"

Thanks Jim. I figured it wasn't one of the ordnance guns, but just read your long thread response from 2013 summarizing the military shipped guns and that seems to confirm it. Still havent seen that unusual geometric stamp on the forward receiver before though. Not a factory stamp for sure.

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