Posted by Bart Reynolds on July 15, 2021, 1:50 pm Edited by board administrator July 15, 2021, 2:29 pm
Anyone know for sure if it was possible to of had a 2E #211358 made in 1909...as it Appears to be in Very Good Condition with Some Flaking...But For 112yrs Old ...Very Fine, Hunter Single Trigger with Crown Steel Barrels. Thanks for Any Information...Fellow LC Smith Lover
Re: Nickel Factory Finish
Posted by Drew Hause on July 15, 2021, 2:28 pm, in reply to "Nickle Factory Finish" Edited by board administrator July 15, 2021, 2:34 pm
No, no one knows.
COURTESY OF BRUCE MILLER: I took two field guns to the original Ithaca before their closure in the mid 80's. My instructions were to give both guns a muzzle to butt restoration. The gentlemen in the Custom Shop disassembled both guns and immediately identified their individual maker. Apparently each man at Hunter left identifying marks or something of the kind. The men at Ithaca spoke of the men at Hunter as if they were merely out to lunch, not as if most has passed from this world several decades previous. Fact is, they pointed out equipment on the Ithaca floor which had previously served at Hunter. Equipment that had likely seen my guns years before. In the case of my nickeled gun, it was pointed out to me why the work had to be done at Hunter. Mostly a matter of fit. Nickel plate adds dimension to anything plated. Thus, either very professional masking is involved or certain dimensions must be changed to allow for the procedure. When I suggested "aftermarket" they just laughed and pointed out that the job was obviously factory as dimensions were all perfect. In fact, they knew the firm in Rochester that had done the work for Hunter. Before the gun left for de-plating I was shown the various components. Each had been masked to maintain vital dimensions previous to having been plated. The lockplates showed no sign of case colors on the inside surfaces. The boys at Ithaca said my gun was not in the least unusual and pointed out that the Great Depression led to many unadvertised options being offered by Hunter as a dollar here or there was most important. This is a recounting of what I learned and was shown. The men at Ithaca are now long gone as most of them were past retirement age then. Given that Ithaca was in about the same financial shape in the 80's as was Hunter in the 30's, I found their stories credible in that Ithaca would have done the same thing to make a few extra dollars.
As yet, no gun specified as having nickel plating has been identified in the Hunter Arms shipping records. Unfortunately, the order records no longer exist.
Posted by Bart Reynolds on July 15, 2021, 2:50 pm, in reply to "Nickel Factory Finish"
Many Thanks for Great Information..
Re: Nickeled examples
Posted by Many Thanks on July 15, 2021, 2:52 pm, in reply to "Nickeled examples"
My 12gauge 2E...Looks Like it's Big Brother..LOL
Re: Nickeled examples
Posted by Tom Archer on July 15, 2021, 2:53 pm, in reply to "Nickeled examples"
We know that there are no references to nickel plating in any Hunter Arms catalogs; and to date we know of no factory letters that discuss having such work done. That said, we know that Hunter Arms made bicycles and fans that used nickel plated parts; and that such work was probably subbed out as there are no references to a plating department at the gun works, so the company certainly had a source for such plating work. However, until we locate some original record clearly documenting that Hunter Arms offered this service to their shotgun clients, my position is that Smith guns featuring nickel-plated frames are not original and that this work was done after-market. And for what it's worth, perhaps the most hideous looking Smith gun I've ever seen was a nickel-plated CROWN GRADE single barrel trap gun.
Re: Nickel Factory Finish
Posted by Charles Cleveland on July 16, 2021, 8:59 am, in reply to "Re: Nickel Factory Finish" Edited by board administrator July 16, 2021, 9:12 am
I too believe some hunter guns were factory plated...I have a early no 4 grade lc smith that is Nichol finish on it....charlie