The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Pre 1907 Frames

Posted by Richard Ranney on October 1, 2021, 8:24 pm

Were the pre1907 frames for a Field grade typically blued? I couldn’t find an answer in the FAQ’s. The side plates are case hardened. I’m restoring a 1906 hammer gun and I want it as close to original as I can get. It was blued when I received it but the Damascus barrels were as well. Thank you.

Re: Pre 1907 Frames

Posted by Ken Descovich on October 1, 2021, 9:35 pm, in reply to "Pre 1907 Frames"

The frames and sideplate were both colorcase hardened and if the gun is pre 1913 they were grade 00 or possibly 0 grade, you can find the grade on the barrels flats and the water table of the frame.

Re: Pre 1907 Frames

Posted by Richard Ranney on October 1, 2021, 11:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Pre 1907 Frames"

Ken I’ve removed the bluing that was done from the frame and there is no indication of case hardening. I removed the blue with 400 grit wet and dry paper and it’s merely a silver color much like the Damascus barrels when sanded down. No indication of case like the side plates. This is a1906 gun. That would seems odd to me.

Case colored frames

Posted by Drew Hause on October 2, 2021, 6:46 am, in reply to "Re: Pre 1907 Frames"

https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/1631552056.html

Re: Case colored frames

Posted by Richard Ranney on October 2, 2021, 5:13 pm, in reply to "Case colored frames"

Drew for some reason I didn’t see that in the FAQ’s. Thanks. So, my receiver, which I call where the firing pins are housed, is in the white with no sign of case. Is that correct or was it blued originally? Were the early hammer guns this way? Thank you.

the LCS frames before 1913 were color case hardened

Posted by Jent Mitchell on October 2, 2021, 5:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Case colored frames"
Edited by board administrator October 2, 2021, 6:12 pm

Hello Richard Ranney, The frames and lock plates of most all L C Smiths built before 1913 were color case hardened ..... the color in the frame and lock plates fades away after a few decades of time and use and weather ..... the hardness does not fade away from the frame and lock plates but the color does ..... you can test the barrels to see if they are damascus steel or armor steel or whatever they might be ..... you should make a jig, a tool, to reinstall the top lever spring in your L C Smith ..... Good Shooting To You, Jent.

Re: the LCS frames before 1913 were color case hardened

Posted by Richard Ranney on October 2, 2021, 6:32 pm, in reply to "the LCS frames before 1913 were color case hardened"

My barrels are Damascus Jent and I’m finished with those. I wanted to get the frame correct for this project. I’m not sure that plain silver will look OK. It was a worn blue when I got it and I’m doing this restoration for someone and hoped I could get this back to its original state.

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