The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Gunsmith Recommendation

Posted by Kerk Evans on October 24, 2025, 3:28 pm

I inherited my Granddad's 16 Gauge L.C. Smith Field Grade SxS with 28" barrels (serial #4441x) when he died in 2001. He bought this shotgun at a gun show in the 1960's. The shotgun is in very good condition with case coloring intact and no stock alterations evident. Here is the catch: He purchased the gun with a damaged left barrel that cannot be repaired. He always thought he would find another set of barrels for this LC, but no luck. For 60 years it has been a family quest to find another set of barrels and low and behold this past Sunday I found a set of barrels at a local gun show, same length, choke, gauge, etc.! The serial number on the replacement barrels is (4243x) only 1,982 apart. I am seeking a gunsmith recommendation for proper fitting and an overall assessment of this firearm. I am located one hour north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Re: Gunsmith Recommendation

Posted by Drew Hause on October 24, 2025, 3:35 pm, in reply to "Gunsmith Recommendation"

You must be living right Kerk!

I hope Dennis Potter is still working. He is in Muskego
262-662-9990
dennispotter@att.net

Re: Gunsmith Recommendation

Posted by Kerk Evans on October 24, 2025, 4:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Gunsmith Recommendation"

Drew,
I cannot thank you enough for the lead! I will reach out to Dennis. I rabbit hunt with my Granddad's 20-gauge SxS, which is in like condition.
It was a melancholy feeling on Sunday when after all these years I finally came across these barrels. I wanted to talk to my Granddad and Dad, but unfortunately, they have both passed on. But they live on when we can hunt with the shotguns they use to hunt with.
All the best,
Kerk

Re: Gunsmith Recommendation

Posted by Tom Archer on October 25, 2025, 12:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Gunsmith Recommendation"

Have you tried to put the barrels on your frame, as there is a good chance (assuming both sets are for an FW frame, they will fit almost perfectly. Your issue afterwards may be the forend. I had a similar issue with a 12 bore. The barrels fit as well as the originals, but the forend was a problem. Perhaps our resident gunsmith will chime in, but I had a similar issue years ago and called gunsmith Buck Hamlin who advised me to remove the cocking plate from the fore iron; then attach the forend. I did and found that the tip of the J-spring was a bit too long; so I took a file and carefully removed bits of metal from the J-Spring until the forend smapped on perfectly. I then reattached the cocking plate, and the gun has functioned perfectly since. With the replacement barrels in place one would never know they are not original to the gun without checking the serial number to the frame. Best of luck

Re: Gunsmith Recommendation

Posted by Jerry Andrews on October 27, 2025, 8:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Gunsmith Recommendation"
Edited by board administrator October 28, 2025, 7:52 am

I’ll say that’s excellent advice. If they don’t fit reach out to me. I’d be glad to fit them up for you. 304-281-5776. Jerry

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