The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phillip Carr on November 5, 2024, 2:01 pm
Edited by board administrator November 8, 2024, 9:52 am

I purchased what was marked as a Sears Stevens model 104.3 Precision Grade. 20 gauge with 28” barrels with twin ivory beads.

I didn't give it much thought , as the gun has a lot of condition and I purchased it.
I decided to pull out a few guns so a friend could borrow one for quail hunting with me this week.
Cleaning it up I realized the proof mark looked familiar.
Looking it over further I was convinced it was made by LC Smith.
Thanks to some past postings here as well as going through my LC Smith books it was . I was surprised I did not find any info in THE LEGEND LIVES BOOK, POSSIBLY i just missed it. It is a Ranger 20 gauge that was produced for Sears and only produced from 1937-39.. what a nice surprise.

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Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Ken Descovich on November 5, 2024, 6:41 pm, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

If you have Jim stubbendiecks book you should be able to find out how many were made in the configuration of your gun.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phil Carr on November 5, 2024, 8:43 pm, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

1308 20 gauges made. All but I believe about 45 had 28” barrels.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Mark Britton on November 5, 2024, 9:04 pm, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

That is a nice one ! You did well. Measure the chambers they may be 2 1/2.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by David Williamson on November 6, 2024, 12:17 pm, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

Phil, these Hunter Arms Co. boxlock guns were made very well. They were available in .410 to 12 gauge. All had a Ranger recoil pad on them. They were made for Sears Roebuck & Co. after they stopped having their brand made and went to Hunter Arms Co. They are basically identical to The Fulton, Fulton Special, the Hunter Special is different because it has the rotary bolt like the side lock L.C. Smiths.
As you stated the Rangers were only made from 1937-1939. The other boxlocks were from 1904-1941.

Hunter Arms Co. also made boxlocks for other companies using the names Manhattan Special, Royal Enders, St. Louis Arms, Keystone Arms, etc. All very well made boxlocks. Another one that Sears had made was the Gladiator model in both hammer and hammerless, made from around 1918-1921.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phil carr on November 6, 2024, 5:28 pm, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

Thank you David for this additional information..

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Tom Garver on November 7, 2024, 6:32 pm, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

Phillip, what a great find. I'm constantly searching for Hunter Arms produced Rangers. Hard to reason what has happened to 8,000+ guns. They rarely come to auction and very few auctioneers and other sellers recognize what they have. Over the years, with lots of searching, I've been able to add a .410 and 2 of the 16 gauge single trigger guns to my collection

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phil Carr on November 8, 2024, 7:18 am, in reply to "20 gauge Ranger"

I am guessing these are not highly collectible. That said how would a 20 gauge value compare to a Fulton?

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by David Williamson on November 8, 2024, 10:39 am, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

Good question Phil, but having both guns in the same condition I would say the Ranger would win out. There are two models of the Fulton, one just Fulton and the other Fulton Special that had some engraving on it. The comparison would have to be with using the Fulton model.

Ranger 20

Posted by Phil carr on December 9, 2024, 2:33 pm, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

David I no longer have the PM option. Can you contact me at 520-975-0830 or coues3pt@gmail.com
Thanks Phil

Re: Ranger 20

Posted by Phil Carr on December 10, 2024, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Ranger 20 "

Oops I meant Tom.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Bryan emch on January 4, 2025, 2:17 pm, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

There was a Ranger 20 in the Redding auction this weekend that looked pretty nice. I believe that is the first one I have seen for sale in recent years.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Drew Hause on January 4, 2025, 5:08 pm, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

Auction has ended and here's the very high condition Ranger, with an original pad
https://reddingauction.com/item/41r-ranger-mod-104-3-precision-grade-20ga/

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phil Carr on January 8, 2025, 10:46 am, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

Thanks Doc. Any idea what it sold for?

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Drew Hause on January 8, 2025, 11:25 am, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

I'm sorry no Phil.

Re: 20 gauge Ranger

Posted by Phil carr on March 1, 2025, 2:16 pm, in reply to "Re: 20 gauge Ranger"

Based on the pictures and description can anyone tell me what they feel is a reasonable price for a Ranger 20 gauge in this condition?

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