The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Richard Phelps on September 3, 2023, 5:25 pm

I just acquired a 16 Gauge Hunter Arms "The Fulton" shotgun (sn F201035). Is there a Hunter Arms website similar to this one where I can find information about my shotgun. I am trying to find out when it was manufactured and what the original lengths of the barrels were. Currently the barrels are 28 inches long. I suspect the barrels may have been cut down, but not for sure. Also what should a original butt plate look like? Did the non-L.C. Smith shotguns have butt plates with the Dog and Bird logo on them?

Thanks..... Richard

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Drew Hause on September 3, 2023, 6:04 pm, in reply to "Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

This should help Richard
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrDPhUeeezjPGmb0zTxdp4ic6LcmKiR-WJQiTqfS07I/edit

The Hunter Arms Fulton gun SNs are within the Smith SNs and a Research Letter would document the DOM and the original barrel length, and possibly to where the gun was shipped
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

There is disassembly information for Fulton guns in the FAQs
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=274&club_id=43784

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on September 3, 2023, 7:04 pm, in reply to "Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

If you have the ability to measure the bore at the muzzle you can determine if they have been cut down.
The constriction would have begun approximately 3" from the muzzle so you will need to be able to take a measurement at least 3 inches in.
Max constriction would occur approximately 1-1/4" from the muzzle, then parallel to end of barrel.
Barrels should appear to touch at the muzzle but can sometimes be cut 2" and still appear to touch.
If you poke around this site you should be able to find a diagram showing factory barrel profile.

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Charles McKaye Clifton on January 15, 2024, 12:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"
Edited by board administrator January 15, 2024, 12:11 pm

I have a The Fulton in 410 gauge and would like to get some information. Scroll work on receiver, walnut wood, light checkering.

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Don Bullock on January 15, 2024, 3:23 pm, in reply to "Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

Did LC SMith ever make a gun for Sears called the tournament model? I've never heard of it, but I'm not familiar with the guns made for Sears. I know the did make some.

Re: Sears "Gladiator Tournament" Fulton

Posted by Drew Hause on January 15, 2024, 3:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"
Edited by board administrator January 15, 2024, 3:58 pm

Yes Don. Click on the link I posted for Richard

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by Tom Garver on January 15, 2024, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

Don, I have several of the Gladiator series. They were specifically made for Sears retail in 1918 and 1919. They made the Field,Tournament, and Diamond grade in a boxlock hammerless and a Gladiator, Field and Ideal grade in external hammer sidelock. According to Dr. Jim's production records only 280 guns were made in 12 and 16 ga hammerless and 231 hammer guns in 12 and 16 gauge. However, I've found several guns that have serial numbers from 1920 that are clearly Gladiators but appear in the records as either Field grade hammerless or Fulton boxlocks

Sears Gladiator

Posted by Drew Hause on January 15, 2024, 4:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

Sears was still advertising the Gladiator Tournament guns in 1920

Re: Sears Gladiator

Posted by Tom Garver on January 15, 2024, 6:46 pm, in reply to "Sears Gladiator"

Drew,my experience only. I have two guns that serial number to 1918 and two to 1919. The latest one is in the 3900 serial block. The final two are in the 38,000 serial block and I have seen two others in this range. The 38,000 serial block is in 1920 and all of those guns are recorded as something other than Gladiators

Re: Sears Gladiator

Posted by Don Bullock on January 16, 2024, 12:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Sears Gladiator"

Thanks for the info.guys.

Re: Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions

Posted by David Williamson on January 17, 2024, 7:04 am, in reply to "Hunter Arms "The Fulton" Questions"

Richard your gun was made in 1941 and the correct butt plate would have a setter with a quail in his mouth.
Hunter Arms Co. made these guns for various manufacturers such as Sears Roebuck, Manhattan Arms, St. Louis Arms Co. and a few others. The names changed but the receiver is the same hence the giveaway.

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