Posted by CJ Demars on June 23, 2023, 10:48 pm Edited by board administrator June 24, 2023, 6:49 am
I have just purchased what I thought was a lc smith e3 at auction but seems to me that the auctioneer miss labeled the gun. Stamped inside by the serial is e4. I have submitted for the letter. Thoughts?
Posted by Drew Hause on June 24, 2023, 8:18 am, in reply to "LC Smith 4E"
Yes, it's a 4E. It would be neat if the Research Letter documented the original purchaser.
It has been restocked without checkering, and totally reblued.
This is a 2E showing the original case colors
As a 4E, it might be worth having Turnbull properly checker the stock and FE, and re-case color the action and locks. Or it should be a fine shooter as is.
Re: LC Smith 4E
Posted by Tom Archer on June 24, 2023, 10:20 am, in reply to "LC Smith 4E"
With all due respect Friend, these photos illustrate a very poor restoration; and even though a 4-E is a relatively rare model, I sincerely hope you didn't pay a premium. From the photos it appears that forend wood is original less the checkering which has been sanded away. The butt stock is not original and is poorly inletted; also, this gun was originally shipped with a pistol grip stock as is evident by the fact that the pistol grip guard tang has been straightened and fitted to this English style stock. The gun appears to have other issues; but I would encourage you to have the barrels checked as they appear to have been hot blued. If so, and not thoroughly cleaned and bluing salts neutralized afterwards, the chemicals in the bluing salts will begin to dissolve the solder holding barrel ribs in place; loose ribs are not good. As Drew suggested, a research letter should confirm the actual gun grade, original barrel length, and the ship date (which would be pre-1913). Just observations and suggestions and I wish your well.
Re: LC Smith 4E
Posted by CJ Demars on June 24, 2023, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith 4E"
Thanks for the information. I paid about $1,400( with shipping and auctioneer markup) for the gun but also was thinking it was a 3e. From what I’m seeing, I think I may have done ok. The lowest number I’ve seen is $7,500 and the highest is $19,000. The lack of checkering and a straight stock seemed odd. With any of my guns I normally have them inspected. This one just came in Thursday and will definitely be heading to Turnbull for some work. I’m not aware of any other issues though. Please elaborate.
Re: LC Smith 4E
Posted by Tom Archer on June 24, 2023, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith 4E"
Not enough detail in the pics for a thorough inspection; but it appears one of the sears in your auto-ejector mechanism is worn as it is not retaining the kicker in the cocked/locked position as it should with the fore iron removed.
send it to Gunter Pfrommer to be restored
Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on June 25, 2023, 12:04 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith 4E"
Just to make the barrels right will cost between $900 and $1000 if they have been HOT BLUED ..... We can show you pictures of Gunter's work on Quality #2 and Quality #3 12 gauge L C Smiths ..... posted by Jent.
