The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Drew Hause on June 15, 2021, 7:15 am

Trapshooting: The Patriotic Sport by D. H. Eaton
https://books.google.com/books?id=6aQvAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA211

It was first awarded to the State Champion of the Ohio Trapshooters' League.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6aQvAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA211&source

January 2, 1889 Sporting Life
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/53051
Rolla Heikes won the first $500 L.C. Smith Cup December 25, 1888.

$500 in 1890 = about $14,000 today

Forest & Stream August 8, 1889 with an illustration
https://books.google.com/books?id=TUchAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA52&lpg

Fred Gilbert (who used a Smith 1895-1901 when he switched to a Parker) with some of his trophies in 1903; the L.C. Smith Cup is #4 - impressive!

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Tom Archer on June 15, 2021, 2:19 pm, in reply to "The L.C. Smith Trophy"

If I'm not mistaken Frank Finch had the LC Smith cup on display a few years ago at the LC/Parker Challenge Event.

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Mike Harris on June 16, 2021, 8:21 am, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Thanks Drew, I have a lot of old magazines from the time but I have never seen that photo of Fred Gilbert. I will have to look for it now. Mike

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Doug Precourt on June 17, 2021, 6:46 pm, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Mike,
Are saying that you were alive and receiving those magazines back when they were printed? :-)

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Mike Harris on June 23, 2021, 8:12 am, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

HaHa! You have been up on too many roofs in Colorado that the mile high air must be getting to ya!!

Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith

Posted by Drew Hause on July 21, 2021, 2:06 pm, in reply to "The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Many thanks to LCSCA member Garry Gordon who has confirmed with the Dickenson Co. Historical Museum that Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith IS in a display case in the Museum, along with other memorabilia.
It is probably too much to ask if the gun could be removed from the case for quality images, but if someone is near Spirit Lake or Lake Okoboji this summer, please check out the museum and the explanatory notes with the gun, and take the best images possible.
With the serial number Dr. Jim could check the shipping records also.

Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith

Posted by Drew Hause on July 21, 2021, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith"

And don't miss Gilbert Park
https://www.nwestiowa.com/okoboji_magazine/big-shot/article_68739bf0-d8a1-11e9-ae32-4f717c974ed7.html

The gun is mentioned in a 1933 article in Field & Stream "The Wizard of Spirit Lake" and republished in The Annals of Iowa, 1962
https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=7627&context=annals-of-iowa

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Kim Clay on September 21, 2021, 4:28 pm, in reply to "The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Does anyone know what year the L C Smith trophy #4 was awarded?
Thanks for your help,
Kim

Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith

Posted by Garry L. Gordon on September 28, 2021, 3:55 pm, in reply to "Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith"

With the generous help of the Museum, and especially Mr. John Smeltzer and the Museums' Director, I will be able to examine the gun this week. The Museum Director and John will open the case, which has been sealed for some time, and permit me to take measurements and photos of the gun and some of the other Gilbert artifacts in the case.

Later in the evening (9/30), Mr. Smeltzer will give a program on Fred Gilbert at the Museum. I'll be there taking notes. I believe that the program will be live streamed on Facebook. I will post details if I have them in time.

Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith

Posted by Ken Descovich on September 29, 2021, 10:58 am, in reply to "Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith"

Garry,
I will certainly look forward to see what pictures you show and the information you report.
Thanks

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Tom Breeden on September 29, 2021, 7:25 pm, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Maybe some one can help me sort out an answer surrounding the L C Smith Trophy that was evidently won by Gilbert before 1905, the year the picture was taken. Attempting to provide an answer to Kim's question I checked Eaton's records that Drew posted above for the Smith Trophy. According to Eaton the Trophy was awarded 9 times to Rollo Heikes and never to Gilbert during the 22 years that it was awarded. Although Eaton provides some detail about each trophy year he must have been mistaken in omitting Gilbert. Was there more than one Smith Trophy; the one in the picture says Clay Birds; was there another trophy for live birds?

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Tom Breeden on September 30, 2021, 12:34 pm, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

A possible answer lies in the caption under the photo of the L C Smith Trophy shown in the August 8, 1889 Forest and Stream posted by Drew above. The caption reads "To be shot for at the Corry (SP?) Tournament August 21" Evidently the trophy was offered in another shoot in which Gilbert could have won it besides the Ohio/L C Smith Trophy Tournament. The Corry shoot was scheduled for 1889 at the earliest which would have put it in conflict with the Ohio/Smith shoots held from 1888 thru 1908. Eaton has no mention of the Corry shoot. Still, a little confusing!

Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith

Posted by Garry Gordon on October 2, 2021, 12:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Fred Gilbert's L.C. Smith"

Ken,

If you send me an email at: g.g2@aol.com I have some information for you relative to Gilbert's gun.

Thanks,

Garry

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Kim Clay on April 14, 2023, 7:02 pm, in reply to "The L.C. Smith Trophy"

Drew do you know where the original photo of Gilbert is? I would like to get a clear view of the L C Smith Cup and read the engraving on the front.
Thanks
Kim

Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy

Posted by Drew Hause on April 15, 2023, 6:39 am, in reply to "Re: The L.C. Smith Trophy"

You might contact the author as to the location and accessibility of the original
https://www.nwestiowa.com/okoboji_magazine/big-shot/article_68739bf0-d8a1-11e9-ae32-4f717c974ed7.html

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[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]