The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?

Posted by Brian D. Burke on April 1, 2026, 2:31 pm

On 3/25/2026 I sent a Look up letter request along with a payment of $78.00 USD by Credit Card to the L. C. Smith Collectors Association. I was seeking information on an L.C. Smith 12 Ga. 32" bb. Ser. # 20882. Produced in Syracuse New York. I also sent an e-mail to James Stubbendieck who replied that he couldn't sent a letter because The Syracuse Plant ser#'s only started at 30,000! I was wondering how I could speak to someone who could refund my money? The phone number listed (Calls can't be completed? Can someone please help me? 401-527-7960

Re: How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on April 1, 2026, 5:22 pm, in reply to "How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?"

Mr. Burke, if you have not already been reimbursed, it is coming. As we say on the website, The L.C. Smith Collectors Association has a set of the records for over a half of a million L.C. Smith shotguns made from 1890 to 1950 by the Hunter Arms Company. None of the older L.C. Smith records for shotguns made in Syracuse, before 1890, has survived.

How can you tell if you should order a letter for your shotgun? If one of the barrels, barrel rib or rib extension is marked SYRACUSE, we are unable to write a letter because there are no records on which to base the letter, and they are not available from any source. The serial number of shotguns made in Syracuse will be lower than 30000. Letters are available for most serial numbers, including those below 30000 (see the website for a few exceptions), as long as the one of the barrels, barrel rib or rib extension is marked HUNTER ARMS CO., FULTON, N.Y.

Re: How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?

Posted by David Williamson on April 1, 2026, 5:51 pm, in reply to "How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?"

Brian, I have your serial number in my records. Syracuse hammerless guns were first introduced in mid to late August of 1886 at serial number 16000 and continued until 1888 when the L.C. Smith Syracuse Gun Co. was sold to John Hunter Sr. After the machinery and parts were shipped to Fulton, N.Y.and in 1889 the Hunter Arms Co. started.

Your gun was made sometime in 1887, Quality 3 with 32" Best Damascus barrels. ( I get most of my information from people like you and auctions, this one was on Gun Broker 5-1-2015).

The last serial number I have for Syracuse is 23553 that has L.C. Smith Maker Syracuse, N.Y. on top of barrels.

Re: How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?

Posted by Frank Finch on April 2, 2026, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: How do I get a Refund for a Research Letter that can't be given?"

Brian, reimbursement check number 1553 was mailed to you on 3-26-2026.

« Back to index

100

[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]