The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by Cliff Church on March 19, 2026, 1:10 pm

Hello, I have two vintage LC Smith shotguns and I am having difficulties in determining their choke designations. The guns are a 1930 Ideal Grade 12ga with 34" barrels, and a 1919 made 20ga Field Grade gun, I think with 28" barrels. Is there any nomenclature on the barrels or receiver that would give me an indication of their choke sizes?

Thank you,
Cliff

Re: Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by Drew Hause on March 19, 2026, 3:20 pm, in reply to "Determining Choke Sizes"

Hunter Arms never marked the choke on Smith guns. Choke markings are occasionally seen, and are thought to be a gunsmith addition after choke alteration.

It is possible that a Research Letter might indicated the original chokes on the Ideal
https://www.lcsmith.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

Re: Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by John Liles on March 19, 2026, 3:52 pm, in reply to "Determining Choke Sizes"

Hello Cliff, and welcome to the forum.

With these old guns, the best and most accurate way to determine chokes is via the use of a bore gauge. Since cylinder bore dimensions varied somewhat between manufacturers back then, muzzle plug gauges sometimes used on modern firearms disregard the as-built constriction measurements between beginning and end of the choke tapers on the older guns. Any local gunsmith would have a bore gauge and could measure the constrictions for you, or you could purchase a reasonably priced Skeets Bore Gauge or the like so that you could determine for yourself the chokes on any shotgun you might be interested in going forward.

Also, you might want to re-check the barrel length on your Ideal grade. If its not a single barrel trap gun, then it'll be the first I've heard of with longer than 32" barrels.

Re: Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by Cliff Church on March 19, 2026, 8:57 pm, in reply to "Determining Choke Sizes"

Drew & John, thank you very much. I'll try and find a shop here in the Seattle area that is familiar with shotguns. I appreciate your suggestions. '

Cliff

Re: Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by Cliff Church on March 19, 2026, 11:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Determining Choke Sizes"

John, you were correct, my shotgun has 32" barrels, not 34". Thanks for the tip. My bad.

Cliff

Re: Determining Choke Sizes

Posted by John Liles on March 21, 2026, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Determining Choke Sizes"

You bet Cliff!
Actually, I was kinda hoping you were correct at 34", as that would have been a new discovery, which does occasionally happen!

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