The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Unmatched barrels

Posted by Brian Sloan on March 20, 2025, 1:38 pm

Is there any of you that has a LC Smith that has 2 different damascus patterns? For instance I have one that has twist for one barrel and, I believe, it's stars and strips damascus for the other.

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on March 20, 2025, 2:10 pm, in reply to "Unmatched barrels"
Edited by board administrator March 21, 2025, 4:23 pm

The rough formed tubes were paired and wired together by the Belgian maker, and it is very difficult to 'read' the pattern of those tube.

The U.S. makers had to trust the fella doing the pairing, and proceed with joining, fitting and finishing, at which point the pattern is obvious.

It has been suggested that guns with mismatched patterns were salesmen's samples. I've never seen proof thereof, and we know that at least Remington salesmen carried sample segments

It's not at all uncommon to see a slight difference in crolle patterns.
This is a Husqvarna 49 with different 2 Iron patterns refinished by Mark Beasland

Different patterns are less common, but happen.
A Husqvarna 43 with "Washington" and a crolle

I think this is Bro. Tom's No. 2 Smith with Twist and crolle

And this is an Ithaca with one fluid steel and one crolle tube!

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Thomas Garver on March 20, 2025, 4:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

Gentlemen, the Chronology of Guns list has one gun listed under Dissimilar barrels and another under the listing of hybrid barrels. While neither one is 2 different damascus patterns per se it evidently has happened. Tom

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Brian Sloan on March 20, 2025, 5:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Trevor Rice on March 20, 2025, 7:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"
Edited by board administrator March 21, 2025, 8:39 am

Drew I heard that Frank might have one that is mismatched Damascus. Not sure if that’s correct though

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Eric Oldham on March 21, 2025, 11:27 am, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

I remember seeing one at the Southern several years back that had mismatched barrels and mismatched side plates with gorgeous wood. The fellow that owned it said all the numbers matched and it was a salesman sample gun. If I remember correctly one barrel was steel the other Damascus and one side plate was engraved the other just LC Smith stamped. I have no idea if he was telling the truth about numbers matching but the forend and the frame matched. If it was legit, it would be a neat piece. Brian congrats on your gun. I love seeing guns that are unique. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Brian Sloan on March 21, 2025, 3:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

Im hoping to shoot it at the Southern on Friday if anyone wants to see it.

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on March 21, 2025, 4:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

Pre-1890 F grade with Laminated Steel R & Twist L

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Mike Harris on March 25, 2025, 1:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

I believe that Frank has a gun with one damascus barrel and the other one is fluid steel or steel of some sort!

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Jerry Andrews on March 25, 2025, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Unmatched barrels"

I’ve worked on at least 30 guns like that. I’ve also seen on gun with a 20 gauge on the right side and a 12 ga on the left side. Both fluid steel; serial number was “ Exp #12”

Mis-marked barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on April 13, 2025, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Unmatched barrels"

Trevor just sent me this one. A 10g Field grade marked 'Armor Steel' over Chain damascus tubes!
IMHO Hunter Arms was using up the damascus tube stock as they were transitioning to fluid steel barrels, or possibly had Chain barrels for a No. 2 and used them for a Field grade.

Re: Mis-marked barrels

Posted by Brian Sloan on April 13, 2025, 6:33 pm, in reply to "Mis-marked barrels"

Thanks for sharing. If LC Smith was cut and dry there would be no mystery and not near as interesting. Thank goodness they didn't have the RED tape we have today

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by David Williamson on April 13, 2025, 6:41 pm, in reply to "Unmatched barrels"

Or when the barrels were in the white and then struck they were put in the wrong bin.

Re: Unmatched barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on April 13, 2025, 7:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Unmatched barrels"

Speaking of bins and tube storage; the Ithaca barrel storage room. One can imagine a tube might get in the wrong stack.

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