Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on August 9, 2020, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Looks like a Smith" Edited by board administrator August 9, 2020, 1:13 pm
Dr. Drew:
Have you figured out the grade? It becomes fuzzy when I increase the size of the photo, but could the circle on the lock plate make it a No. 2? I noted the single trigger.
Smith No. 1?
Posted by Drew Hause on August 9, 2020, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Looks like a Smith"
Yes, I agree a HOT Jim. Maybe
Re: Smith No. 1?
Posted by Tom Archer on August 9, 2020, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Smith No. 1?"
Can't add anything to the above photo, but can add a photo of a Smith gun that can be identified. The gentleman on the left is Charles E. Strawn who is holding a rare L.C. Smith Syracuse, NY C Grade 10-bore hammer gun. I assume the young shooter on the right holding the hammerless Smith gun is his son, but I've no idea as to grade and gauge of his gun. Charles Strawn died while in his early 40's, but while he was living he traveled the live bird and inanimate target circuits of the day shooting with Bogardus and other big named shooters of the day. In 1893 he won the grand prize at one of the big shooting events, a BH Grade Parker Bros. Damascus 12-bore gun. I've verified thru the PGCA that this gun was presented as a prize, and it is still owned by Strawn's descants. Mr. Strawn's gun was returned to Hunter at some point and converted to a Grade 2E, single trigger, straight gripped gun. Only the original barrels were retained, the balance of the gun was custom made and fitted with all new parts. The serial number from the C hammer was used on the new 2E, so this gun is not recorded in the shipping ledgers. The original C Grade hammer receiver and stock survived (the forend was lost); and it, and the barrels, can be seen pictured in the Houchins book as that was the only C Grade hammer we could locate before the book went to press. The photos below are of Mr. Strawn, the BH Parker, and the gun after conversion to a 2E. I might write the story some day?