The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

4E barrel numbers

Posted by Joe Winnicki on August 25, 2020, 11:38 pm

Noticed on my 4E the barrel is a 6 digit number where the numbers on the forearm and receiver are 4 digits ?

Re: 4E barrel numbers

Posted by Tom Archer on August 26, 2020, 10:10 am, in reply to "4E barrel numbers"

Hunter always placed the full serial number of a gun on the frame, barrels, and fore iron; never partial numbers, so on the surface it appears yours may be a composed gun. Nothing wrong with that if all parts are correctly fitted, although non-original parts do impact value. But post some pics of the parts and we can better advise you as to originality.

Re: 4E barrel numbers

Posted by Joe Winnicki on August 26, 2020, 1:25 pm, in reply to "4E barrel numbers"

Thanks Tom, see photos. This is a 4E with ejectors and a Lard single selective trigger.

Re: 4E barrel numbers

Posted by Drew Hause on August 26, 2020, 3:41 pm, in reply to "Re: 4E barrel numbers"

Joe: your nice 1898 4E was originally fitted with either Chain or "Fine 3 Rod Damascus", or Nitro Steel (have you requested a Research Letter?). At some point it received a set of 1908 Armor Steel barrels from a 00E. Had the new barrels been fitted at Hunter Arms, they would have received the original SN. Replacement Nitro steel barrels would have cost about 1/2 of the full 4E price.

This unfortunately was a not uncommon scenario when the dangers of damascus became common knowledge in the 20s and 30s. That "common knowledge" was false knowledge however
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LFnSG34k3mBhLEjEgU267wAlIa215MNVQZhIiY62Hx4/edit

Re: 4E barrel numbers

Posted by Joe Winnicki on August 26, 2020, 10:07 pm, in reply to "Re: 4E barrel numbers"

Thanks Drew for the information. Any source for finding out the history of this barrel ? I got this gun from a old friend years ago who bought it from a Reno, Nv. Gun shop 35 years ago. I'm not real knowledgeable about these old guns but appreciate the handmade quality. Have Parkers,21s, Foxes, Ithacas, Lefevers and others. I'm a member of a SXS club in Northern California. Need to get a letter. Joe

Re: 4E barrel numbers

Posted by Drew Hause on August 27, 2020, 8:18 am, in reply to "Re: 4E barrel numbers"

You will want to request Research Letters for both the gun and the barrel Joe. No. 00s were usually ordered in bulk by sporting goods and hardware stores, and the shipping records unfortunately may not document the original purchaser/store. The records should include the purchaser of your 4E, and possibly the original barrel composition.
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

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