Does anyone have access to an article or historical narrative on exactly how the early craftsman of L. C. Smith assembled the barrels for their shotguns? I am interested in the process from a production point of view regarding the actual assembly by the worker in a step by step narrative and the particular tools and methods employed. I tried searching the message archives but did not find anything specific. Sitting at home with a torn rotator cuff and separated shoulder is giving me way to much time to think about things that I would like to know...
Re: L. C. Smith barrel assembly process
Posted by Drew Hause on January 2, 2021, 6:57 am, in reply to "L. C. Smith barrel assembly process" Edited by board administrator January 2, 2021, 8:47 am
Mike: I have an article by A.P. Curtis from the November, 1937 American Rifleman; "Making Shotgun Barrels"
Curtis invented the L.C. Smith "Curtis fore end fastener" and worked for the HAC from 1899 - 1917; as plant superintendent during the last seven years of his employment. After WWI, he worked at Winchester, Ithaca, Iver Johnson, and Marlin. He returned to Fulton in 1940 and was the general manager of HAC until his death in 1941. He was also a prolific writer. Forty one of his articles were published from 1909 to 1940 and he authored "America's Double Hammerless Shotguns".
The 5 page article is a PDF and if you would send me an email at revdoc2@cox.net (or anyone else) I'll reply with the document.
The Smith gun used a top rib extension section, breech section, and barrel lump/hook section which were brazed together (my apologies - I can't confirm who sent me this image. Please let me know.)
This is a radiograph showing the breech and barrel loop support. Click on the image for full size.
which was both silver soldered and affixed with a screw
Another radiograph with the loop support and the mid-barrel and forward spacers
Soldered spacers (my apologies again - I think this image was from Chris Helms)
The barrels were soldered at the muzzle, and the bottom and top ribs soldered.
A 65 part series on SXS barrels and sidelock shotgun fabrication. The "chopper lump" barrels are silver soldered rather than brazed. The youtubes start with
Thank you for the information. I have sent you my email address. I really do appreciate all of the knowledge that the members and this site provides to newer LCS fans like me. I have saved so much time, effort, and money because of the access to just about everything L. C. Smith...