The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Improved Field Grade

Posted by John Chambers on March 22, 2026, 10:00 am

LC Smith introduced the Improved Field Grade in 1939.Stated improvements were an improved cocking
mechanism,extra strength in the stock, and a reshaped forend .
How significant were the actual modifications?

Improved Field Grade Forend

Posted by Drew Hause on March 22, 2026, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Improved Field Grade"

John: I think this is Bro. David's pic. The bottom is the IMHO not very improved FE, which was also slightly thicker

Improved Field Grade Stock

Posted by Drew Hause on March 22, 2026, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Improved Field Grade Forend"

The stock was improved, with additional wood at the head of the stock

Pre-improved stock

Improved stock

Re: Improved Field Grade Stock

Posted by John Chambers on March 23, 2026, 6:25 am, in reply to "Improved Field Grade Stock"

Thank you Drew. A much stronger stock head much less prone to cracking I assume .

Re: Improved Field Grade Stock

Posted by Jerry Andrews on March 23, 2026, 6:38 am, in reply to "Re: Improved Field Grade Stock"

I’ve restocked 390 of these guns. No significant improvements were ever made. As the pictures show,there’s no wood left to absorb the recoil after inletting for the top lever. Smith knew this.They experimented with a cut off top lever and more internal main spring. I love these guns but that’s a bad design flaw. Jerry

Re: Improved Field Grade

Posted by Steve Arnett on March 26, 2026, 6:05 am, in reply to "Improved Field Grade"

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I understood that the Improved Field was introduced when Marlin bought the company from what was left of Hunter Arms (1945). The primarily improvement in Marlin era guns is that they standardized the Single Sighting Plane (raised) top rib. And they also standardized on the Featherweight frame.

Single Sighting Plane Rib

Posted by Drew Hause on March 26, 2026, 7:13 am, in reply to "Re: Improved Field Grade"

The raised "Single Sighting Plane (SSP) Rib" was introduced in 1939 at an additional cost of $5.
In 1940 it was standard (no extra charge) on FW frame guns, and in 1941 on Regular frame guns.

1940 brochure

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