The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!

Posted by Mike Rohman on March 18, 2024, 3:58 pm

Just picked up an LC Smith at a pawn shop in central Missouri today. was unable to identify it by serial #277xx F Was leaning towards a 1920 Hammer Gun, but it looks to have a Syracuse 5 pin Bridle with type 1 Hammers. Birmingham proof marks. Has a very worn LC smith trap gun butt plate.

Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!

Posted by David Williamson on March 19, 2024, 7:13 am, in reply to "Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Your hammer gun is from around 1889. If it does not have L.C. Smith Maker on the top of the barrel or rib it is a Transition Gun meaning it was made in Syracuse and assembled in Fulton when the company was sold or it is a very early Fulton gun with the Syracuse attributes. A picture would help more to identify it.
Also that would be the wrong butt plate as the Syracuse early Fulton's butt plate has a Setter with it's right foot on a rock.

Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!

Posted by Mike Rohman on March 19, 2024, 7:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!

Posted by Tom Garver on March 20, 2024, 6:52 am, in reply to "Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Mike, thanks for rescuing this one. You can buy a replacement butt plate that David described from ncordnance.com. I don't know how deep you want to get into restoration but there are a few things that aren't original but I'm impressed that the hammers appear to be original. They should be serial numbered to the gun on the rear flat spot. If I can be of help call me at 717-887-0545. Tom

Transition Hammer Gun

Posted by David Williamson on March 20, 2024, 9:26 am, in reply to "Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Mike, that is a transition gun as it has no maker's name on barrels, has the rounded lug found on Fulton guns. It is a 6 pin bar action lock meaning the mainspring is before the hammers.
Some of the things I see are; someone blued everything, the screws holding the hammers are wrong, should be a round head with a built-on washer, and the forearm is wrong should be a splinter type. Interesting to see those proof marks. Are the barrels serial numbered to gun? At this period Royal Steel barrels were available but were new and people didn't trust them. (because it was something new)
Yes, and thanks for saving this old gun and it can be made to look original just takes time to find the parts. For the forearm you just need the wood.

Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!

Posted by Michael Rohman on March 21, 2024, 9:30 am, in reply to "Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Birmingham Provisional Proof Mark

Posted by Drew Hause on March 21, 2024, 9:49 am, in reply to "Re: Thank You! for your Bridle Style Data!"

Mike: please be aware that the barrels are blued (very likely) Laminated Steel; the tubes sourced from Birmingham rather than Belgium.
It is important that the barrels be evaluated by a gunsmith with the interest, equipment (wall thickness gauge and bore scope) and expertise to properly do so prior to using the gun.

Re: Transition Hammer Gun

Posted by Michael Rohman on April 25, 2024, 11:31 am, in reply to "Transition Hammer Gun"

The barrels are serial numbered to the gun. Sorry for the delayed response

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