The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Brian McMahon on December 16, 2025, 4:45 pm

The F model Hammer gun I bought has a broken firing pin that needs replacing. Is it hard to do? Would like to do it myself. Its serial # 13766 its in great shape. It says LC Smith Maker, Syracuse NY Stub Twist. The Stub Twist would that be a version of Damascus Barrel? I will be sending for a letter soon. Thanks for any response. Brian

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Brian Sloan on December 17, 2025, 6:02 am, in reply to "Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Congratulations on your purchase. Sounds like a great looking gun. I like the look of twist damascus. Send pictures if you will. Several people on this message board would be able to replace the firing pin. Not sure they tell you how but we'll see. Congratulations again

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on December 17, 2025, 8:32 am, in reply to "Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Brian, your hammer gun was made c. 1885.Great find. You can remove the set screw on the underside of the bolster and the firing pin should slide out. If you can send a photo of the firing pin I may be able to help you with that. I've included a photo of several damascus barrel patterns that were used on LC Smith guns. The stub twist is the second from the left.If you have difficulty in posting a photo on the forum please send it to me at cedarclyffelodge@gmail.com

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Brian McMahon on December 17, 2025, 10:53 am, in reply to "Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Thanks for both responses will get some pics posted. I really like this gun I have 2 other hammer guns. I’m hoping someday to find a 16 gauge hammer which I never see for sale.

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on December 17, 2025, 11:28 am, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Brian, I found these two 16 gauge in separate auctions about 2 years ago. Finally finished the restoration this past January. Of the 79,000+hammer guns made by Hunter Arms only about 3,900 were in 16 gauge so they are hard to find.

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Brian McMahon on December 17, 2025, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Wow nice looking guns. Well I will keep looking one day might catch a 16 gauge hammer gun. I retire in 18 months I will have more time to look.

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Charlie Brooks on December 22, 2025, 9:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Brian,give me a call sometime. 410-756-2095

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on December 23, 2025, 8:24 am, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

If you look for a 16ga hammergun, try to find the earlier one that has the nicer lock mechanism designed by Alexander T Brown.

The later designs were built with economy in mind as hammerguns fell out of favor and overall quality is lower.

I found two from 1897-1898 years, so they are out there.

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on December 23, 2025, 9:40 am, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

I agree with Dan. The sidelock mechanism changed sometime in the mid to late 73,000 serial number range which was mid 1899. The latest one I have is 73,312. Tom

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on December 23, 2025, 11:13 am, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Tom
Thanks for that information.
I knew there were quite a few after mine but not how many.
It seems like somehow years ago I determined that mine were 1897(55xxx) and 1898(57xxx) but I don't remember how I came to that conclusion, and I could be wrong.

BTW: Them's some beautiful hammerguns you've got there.

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on December 23, 2025, 1:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Thanks, Dan, but a lot of credit has to go to my friends who help me with these restorations. The gun with the Stub Twist barrels is SN 55086 and the other one with the Bernard Ribbon is SN57992. One was made in April and the other in November of 1898

Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun

Posted by Brian Sloan on December 25, 2025, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Recently bought a F Model Hammer gun"

Wow! Those are amazing looking! I tried to look away fast enough so I wouldn't want one myself. Grrr too late.

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