I recently purchased 3 LC Smith Shotguns from an auction. Doing some research on this website I think I have figured out the year they were made. I am a bit perplexed on one of the guns. On all 3 guns there are numbers on the metal strap that along the stock where you would hold the gun with your shooting hand. On two of the guns that number conicides with the serial number that is under the barrel of the gun. On the third gun it does not coincide with the number. Any ideas why that might be?
Here is what I have and what I know about the guns.
Serial # 353358 - Ideal Grade, 12 Gauge, 30" Barrel, Auto Ejectors. From this website made in 1916.
Serial # 210020 - No 3 Grade 12 Gauge, 30" Barrel, Single Hunter Selectable Trigger, Beavertail Forearm, Auto Ejectors, From this website made in 1908
Serial # 207975 - No 3 Grade 12 Gauge, 28" Barrel, Beavertail Forearm, Auto Ejectors, From this website made in 1907. This is the gun with a different number on the metal strap attached to the hand area. The number that is stamped into this metal is 27043.
All of this information with exception of the year they were made is the information that was included in the auction. Is there any other information that anybody can share with me on these guns after I have provided the serial #'s. I can upload photos in regards to the serial #'s and how the one does not coincide if that would help.
I also would like to know if these guns can be shot with todays shotgun loads. I mainly would use them for upland game loads with 5 shot for pheasant and grouse.
I do plan on getting a research letter on all 3 guns to have when I pass these guns down the line to family members.
I am in South Dakota and can be reached out to at my email jwetsit@trafficservicescompany.com
thank you
JD
Re: New LC Smith Owner
Posted by Drew Hause on November 7, 2025, 4:41 pm, in reply to "New LC Smith Owner"
That is confusing J.D. and Research Letters are the place to start. 27043 on the trigger guard tang of the No. 3 would be from about 1919.
The Double Barrel Trap introduced in 1920 had a wide Schnable BTFE
The Schnable Skeet Special BTFE was not offered until 1929
The Streamline Skeet Style BTFE
It is possible someone returned the guns to Hunter Arms for the BTFEs in order to modify the guns for Skeet shooting. This might be documented in the Research Letter.
All 3 guns should be checked over by a double gun specialist before use, with attention to the head of the stocks for cracks. The gunsmith can check the chokes which may have been opened for Skeet.
