The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Drew Hause on June 19, 2025, 2:39 pm

A friend recently visited the Theodore Roosevelt Center in Dickinson State University's Lowman Walton Hall in Dickinson, ND
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/

Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Gun, Syracuse 3 barrel drilling is on display
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Research/Digital-Library/Record?libID=o277317

The gun is not mentioned in Houchins’ but it is very likely listed in Hunting Trips of a Ranchman published in 1885 as his “ranch gun”:
“I have two double-barreled shotguns; a No. 10 chokebore for ducks and geese made by Thomas of Chicago; and a No. 16 hammerless built for me by Kennedy of St. Paul, for grouse and plover. On regular hunting trips I always carry the Winchester rifle, but in riding round near home, where a man may see a deer and is sure to come across ducks and grouse, it is best to take the little ranch gun, a double-barrel No. 16, with a 40-70 rifle underneath the shotgun barrels.”

The L.C. Smith 3 barrel guns were manufactured 1880-1884

By the engraving and hammer sculpting it appears to be a Quality No. 3

Tough read but I think the barrels are 3 Iron "Oxford"

Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Tom Garver on June 20, 2025, 6:43 am, in reply to "Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

Drew, any idea of the serial number on this gun? Another member and I own several of these drillings so we are quite interested in any of them that appear. I looked through the websites that you posted and couldn't find it. Thanks, Tom

Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling SN

Posted by Drew Hause on June 20, 2025, 10:02 am, in reply to "Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

No Tom; I couldn't find the SN either.

This is a blurring image of the display case which doesn't look to show the SN

Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on June 20, 2025, 3:57 pm, in reply to "Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

Dr. Drew,

This is a great find. Who can we get to write a L.C. Smith Journal article about this shotgun?

Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Drew Hause on June 20, 2025, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

It would likely require a visit to the Roosevelt Center, with permission to remove from the display case, examine, and photograph the gun.
The pics on file were apparently made in 1969 and the Center should have record of who made the donation of the gun; apparently with TR's engraved Winchester 1876

Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Bill Murphy on June 23, 2025, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

It would be interesting to find out whether this gun is the mentioned 16X16X40-70.

Re: Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling SN

Posted by Tom Garver on June 23, 2025, 8:25 pm, in reply to "Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling SN"

I've sent a request to the Theodore Roosevelt center for more info on this gun

Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling

Posted by Steve Arnett on June 26, 2025, 6:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Theodore Roosevelt's L.C. Smith Maker Drilling"

.40-70 sounds like a pretty stiff load!

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