The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !

Posted by Bob Thompson on February 29, 2020, 6:18 am

Thanks for having me as a member! I'm looking for any pointers I can get. My plan is to visit the upcoming Tulsa gun show and hopefully come away with at least one new to me gun. I have been through the FAQ section several times and am trying to research as much as possible before taking the plunge. I'm not new to guns having been a hunter/shooter all my life but have never owned an L.C. Smith. If any of you plan to be at the show I would love to get together and pick your brain over a cup of coffee.

Thanks in advance !
Bob

bob58jan56(at)gmail(dot)com

Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !

Posted by Bryan Emch on February 29, 2020, 3:58 pm, in reply to "Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !"

If you are a collector buy the best original stuff you can. In my opinion graded small bores are the ticket. Smiths are the best out there as there are as many as Fox and Parkers put together so they were doing something right. I think average and below guns are depreciating rapidly in the current market. Most of what I have been noticing online are not what you should be picking up. Just my opinion. Sometimes Rock Island, Morphy, Poulin, etc. have some nice stuff that can be bought for a fair price. good hunting

Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !

Posted by Tom Archer on March 1, 2020, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !"

First of all decide which grade Smith gun appeals to you most that is within your budget/price range. After you do that, learn everything you can regarding that grade gun and the production era in which it was produced. Find the gun you think you want then make sure you discuss that gun with a knowledgeable Smith collector (not dealer) to get a full assessment of condition (remaining finishes, after-market alterations, mechanics, wood, etc.). And finally, when you've made your determination be sure to purchase the best conditioned Smith gun you can afford within that grade. Doing so will save many dollars in repair/restoration costs moving forward, and save you tons of heartburn.

Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !

Posted by Bob Thompson on March 2, 2020, 7:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !"

Thanks for the replies. I actually have a thing for the Ideal grade guns and I also like hammer guns but I was thinking I would try to find an Ideal 20ga. to start with. Many years ago I saw a table full of Ideal grade guns at a gun show, they belonged to an older gentleman who told me he had been collecting them for many years and thought it was time for someone else to enjoy them for a while. I was fresh out of Navy boot camp and could barely afford entry to the show so a gun was out of the question but I never forgot those guns!

Re: Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !

Posted by Bryan Emch on March 3, 2020, 7:21 am, in reply to "Looking for my first L.C. Smith, any tips appreciated !"

Sounds good Bob, an ideal 20 is a good start. I also think the ideals are pretty guns.

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[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]