The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

LC Smith advice

Posted by jim seeburger on July 23, 2020, 3:48 pm
Edited by board administrator July 23, 2020, 3:59 pm

I inherited a L.C. Smith side by side 12 gauge TRAP GUN. The following was stamped on the swivel part of the trigger housing
PAT’D MAR. 29, 83 JULY. 13, 88 OCT. 5, 88

16969 was also stamped on the back end of the trigger guard, on the bottom side of the barrel, and on the removable wood & metal locking piece that held the barrel to the stock.

Unfortunately, the finger portion of the lever to break the gun is broken off. And there are a few splits in the stock.

Is the gun worth having repaired?

07/23/2020

Re: LC Smith advice

Posted by Tom Garver on July 23, 2020, 4:25 pm, in reply to "LC Smith advice"

Jim, your gun was made in the mid to late side of the 1880's. TRAP GUN is a bit of a misnomer as it was only a marketing tool for LC SMITH. You don't say if your gun is hammer or hammerless but I think the guns in the 16000 serial number block are hammerless. Sounds like you have all of the parts and if they all have the same # it is worth keeping and repairing. There are top levers available on many internet sites or possibly a member will chime in here and have one for you

Re: LC Smith advice

Posted by Zachary Hopkins on July 23, 2020, 4:27 pm, in reply to "LC Smith advice"

Yes it is worth repairing! I suggest finding a double gunsmith that is versed in LC Smith's for the repair as things can most definitely be destroyed by incompetency. The top lever could be tig welded back or a new/used one could be fitted to the gun. Acraglass could also be used since the gun is apart to repair the cracks. A quick lookup will yield names of such gunsmiths.

"The Trap Gun" buttplate

Posted by Drew Hause on July 23, 2020, 4:54 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith advice"

As Tom said, "The Trap Gun" buttplate is commonly found on late hammerless Syracuse and c. 1890-1910 No. 0 to 2 grade Fulton guns.

No "Trap Gun" was advertised in the pre-1913 catalogs.

Hunter Arms, and their professional representative Harvey McMurchy were very involved in the promotion of Smith guns for trap shooting
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rtqfXbMHv08c0iojRUFUV5kR7jIc-7jdinPZEmI9WSc/preview

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