The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Old LCS 16 ga.

Posted by David Hansen on July 31, 2020, 11:48 am

I recently bought an old internal hammer LCS 16 ga. Question: should I preserve the gun as-is or restore? Serial number (C0400) and water table marks indicate manufacture between 1886 and 1890. Barrels have no markings. Water table has an engraving: HAI.MCH.29.83. Metal (external) has extensive oxidation, but no corrosion (smooth gray appearance). Bores have extensive but shallow corrosion pits. Minor ding on one barrel. One of the firing pin portals appears to have been repaired. Butt stock and forearm wood is in very poor condition, with some cracking and really extensive wear.

Thanks in advance.

Dave Hansen (dhansen727@gmail.com)

Re: Old LCS 16 ga.

Posted by Drew Hause on July 31, 2020, 2:29 pm, in reply to "Old LCS 16 ga."

David: you can identify the DOM and grade under "Shotguns" here
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=0&club_id=43784
The 16g hammerless was not introduced until about 1896.

There is lots of information in the FAQs, including recommendations regarding refurbishing or restoration
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=274&club_id=43784
Unless a high grade gun, the cost of a full restoration will far exceed the value of the gun.

Please be aware the the chambers were originally 2 9/16"

Obviously the gun needs to be evaluated by a double gun specialist smith. If you will let us know your location, possibly we can recommend someone nearby.

Re: Old LCS 16 ga.

Posted by David Hansen on August 1, 2020, 10:35 am, in reply to "Re: Old LCS 16 ga."

Thanks.

The DOM confuses me. The serial number (C0400) is inconsistent with the data in the available lists of serial numbers.

Posted by Drew Hause on August 1, 2020, 10:47 am, in reply to "Re: Old LCS 16 ga."

There were no Hunter Arms SNs starting with 'C' David. Please post an image of the barrel and action flats, and the sideplate.

This is a 1906 16g 2E. Pre-1913 guns usually had the grade stamped beneath the SN

Re: SN

Posted by David Hansen on August 1, 2020, 3:41 pm, in reply to "SN"

Hope this works.

Re: SN

Posted by Tom Archer on August 1, 2020, 4:52 pm, in reply to "Re: SN"

The serial number is 60440, and the gun is a Grade O; the number stamps were just a bit weak. The serial number block 60,000 is a special serial number block set aside by Hunter when they first commenced production of the 16 gauge Smith gun, is unique to pre-1913 manual extractor guns; and at this time in production, all Smith 16-bores were built on the "R" or regular (standard) sized gun frame. That changed in 1907 when the "FW" or "featherweight" sized frame was introduced; but yours is a very early first year production 16-bore (likely 1896) and is indeed on the R frame. The gun appears to be a very well used manual extractor model; and I believe I'm correct in that the Grade O gun was the lowest grade hammerless gun made in 1896.

Re: SN

Posted by David Hansen on August 1, 2020, 6:39 pm, in reply to "Re: SN"

Thanks. I appreciate your information and help in understanding what I bought.

Dave Hansen

Re: Old LCS 16 ga.

Posted by David Hansen on August 3, 2020, 2:01 pm, in reply to "Old LCS 16 ga."

Mr. Archer:

I just removed a side plate (to manually recock the action). The serial number you indicated is clearly stamped inside the side plate.

Good call.

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