The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade

Posted by Don Holthausen on January 1, 2021, 9:01 am

Happy New Year to all,
I have an Ideal grade, serial #67746 It was finished February 14, 1913. Does anyone know of one with a lower number, This gun has 28" barrels on a
regular frame.

Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade

Posted by David Williamson on January 1, 2021, 11:22 am, in reply to "Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade"

December 6, 1912

Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade

Posted by Jim Stbbendieck on January 1, 2021, 5:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade"
Edited by board administrator January 1, 2021, 5:20 pm

I did a quick look in the Hunter Arms Company ledgers and found a group of 16 gauge Ideal Grades finished on November 15, 1912. There could be some that were finished earlier, but it would take some time to sort them out. Interestingly, most of the early Ideals were 16 gauge.

Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade

Posted by Byron Whitlock on January 3, 2021, 6:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade"

Jim, that is because the 16 is the "Ideal" gauge.
However I do wish they had made more 28ga guns.

Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade

Posted by Don Holthausen on January 5, 2021, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: Oldest 16 guage Ideal grade"

Jim, Thank you for taking the time to research this. Very interesting information.

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