The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Original Gun Case

Posted by Dave Towers on February 20, 2021, 10:00 am

Anyone ever seen a LC Smith in a case like this?

this a quality 6
I have a 1903 pigeon in a case like it with the compartments in the lid, same color leather. I note the the dodge brothers case shown in the LC Smith book has the same color leather, only a partial photo of the case.
I will post some photos of my case.

Re: Original Gun Case photo

Posted by Dave Towers on February 20, 2021, 10:21 am, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

Correction it was John Olin's Specialty not Dodge
pg352

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by jay baskette on February 20, 2021, 10:25 am, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

That's a really cool case, and sure shows a lot of age & character. I've not seen a lot of original cases for LC Smiths, Parkers, Lefevers and such, outside of LOM cases. Were these types of cases ordered at the time of sale, or were the sold aftermarket by the point of sale? Any others out there?

Re: Original Gun Case PHOTOS OF ALL 3 Cases

Posted by Dave Towers on February 20, 2021, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

This is the one I have made for a 2 barrel set 1905 Pigeon.
They all look like they came from the same source.
Are these what was being provided by Hunter Arms?
Has any one seen others like this?

OTHER 2

Re: Original Gun Case photo

Posted by Tom Archer on February 21, 2021, 10:11 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case photo"

John Olin's Specialty was in Terry Allen's studio for photos several years ago and I saw and handled the gun personally. When I saw the gun it was laying atop a leather case with his name, but I never looked inside the case; I suppose that's why I don't recall having seen anything unusual about the case.
The most remarkable case in which I've observed a Smith gun housed a graded Syracuse Smith hammer gun (seems it was a special ordered 10-bore C Grade). I don't recall all the compartments and accoutrements inside, but do remember it had an extra top section as per the case above that contained numbers of nickeled brass cases.

Re: Original Gun Case photo

Posted by david Towers on February 25, 2021, 5:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case photo"

Sounds like we are getting closer to LC Smiths Cases.
Do you have a way contacting the current owner of the Olin case?

Re: Original Gun Case photo

Posted by Tom Archer on February 26, 2021, 8:14 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case photo"

No idea Friend. As noted the gun was in a photo studio and I didn't ask for owner information; only examined the gun, which was a standard Specialty Grade with no special features that I observed. Seems the only thing of note was John Olin's name on the case.

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Ken Descovich on March 1, 2021, 5:09 pm, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

Dave I was browsing thru the parker story book and saw what appears to be one of the cases your asking about, these cases were probably sold for any make sxs of the time.
Hope this helps.
Ken

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Ken Descovich on March 1, 2021, 6:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

Dave here is the explanation of the case in the 1887 parker brothers catalog, "best case in the world"

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Dave Towers on March 2, 2021, 11:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

That sure looks like it. The excelsior lock was made in Conn. My guess is they were made by a trunk manufacturer for the US gun makers. If the cases were provided by Parker and LC Smith, then they should be considered the original makers cases.
If you find any more info pass it along. I would love to know if there any parkers out there with similar cases.

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Tom Archer on March 3, 2021, 8:46 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

I've seen no evidence that any of our gunmakers actually made cases; but they did offer a variety of case options to their customers, and sometimes placed a maker's name or label on the case. I believe cases were made by period trunk and case makers who were set up with the tooling and facilities to produce them; and can't imagine any gunmaker allocating funds and facilities for a product producing only occasional sales. Further "proof" is found in period hardware store catalogs as all sold a variety of the same or very similar leather shotgun cases associated with vintage American double guns. Vintage gun cases with names of American made double guns are seldom seen. I've seen two mutton leg leather take down case featuring the name L.C. Smith; both having the gold-embossed words "L.C. Smith" on the cover, but am convinced Hunter special ordered such cases on customer request.

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Bill Murphy on March 4, 2021, 8:37 am, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

I have a CH grade Parker in a #38 factory shelltop case made for a two barrel set. Shelltop is the term Parker used for a case with room for shells at the top.

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Ken Descovich on March 4, 2021, 10:05 am, in reply to "Original Gun Case "

Dave let's see picture of the quality 6 sounds like a very nice gun.
Ken

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Dave Towers on March 5, 2021, 9:37 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

Not mine Ken, is was on Guns International #: 101303825
check it out its still there

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Dave Towers on March 5, 2021, 9:39 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

Please post a photo Bill, everyone here would love to see it.

Quality 6 link

Posted by Dave Towers on March 6, 2021, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/lc-smith-shotguns/l-c-smith-syracuse-quality-6-12-gaige.cfm?gun_id=101303825

Re: Original Gun Case

Posted by Carnis Compton on March 26, 2021, 5:41 am, in reply to "Re: Original Gun Case "

Would you post measurements of the case please. I plan on trying my luck at building a case to hold a two barrel field grade.

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