The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 7, 2026, 3:44 pm

12 gauge L. C. Smith shotgun

30 inch SxS barrel, F, M, chokes. Ivory front sight.
Hunter one trigger assembly, selective barrel switch

Serial number 203742 -- I believe that means it was made in 1943

On underside of left barrel on the flat area is serial number and 2E is underneath that.

On the round underside of the barrels proper is various markings including US Pat. Off. and underneath that is TRADE then other markings I cannot quite make out.

On stock, at breech fit for the barrel, it says Pat'd July 13, 86 and under that it says Oct 6 86.

On right stock plate engraving is a single duck in the water with three in air in the distant background -- No details on those.

On left stock plate engraving is one pheasant (grouse?).

Original rubber recoil pad on stock

What grade is this shotgun?

Add'l info: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 7, 2026, 4:01 pm, in reply to "What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

Some additional information:

Serial number is 203724 -- I transposed end digits. Still 1943?

Also, the serial number is stamped on the trigger guard.

Left stock plate image is just one bird -- grouse or partridge (I don't see tail feathers for a pheasant).

Does all this make it Crown grade?

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Drew Hause on June 7, 2026, 4:19 pm, in reply to "What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

It is a pre-1913 No. 2 with ejectors (2E) and HOT (Hunter One-Trigger - introduced in 1904)
Go to the Home Page and look under Shotguns
https://www.lcsmith.org/
The recoil pad is unlikely to be original unless it is a rock-hard Silvers.
We need an image of the TRADE and markings on the barrel.

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 7, 2026, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

Attached.

A #2? Given the serial number I was thinking a 1953 Field Special, but I know nothing of these shotguns. I inherited it from my father. I know he was using it in the early 1960s, when I was in kindergarten.

Thanks for any light anyone can shed.

Definitely not a Crown grade, and the side plates designs do match the description of the # 2.

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 7, 2026, 4:55 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

" I was thinking a 1953 Field Special, "

Should be 1943 -- I can't type for nuthin' today.

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Drew Hause on June 7, 2026, 5:05 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

That is the Hunter Arms Crown Steel trademark John

Your father has good taste

Have the gun checked by a qualified double gun specialist then enjoy the treasure!

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 7, 2026, 5:12 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

I will.

Thank God it's not Damascus steel, as I fire modern shells.

Still, now I have to figure out which of my nephews to give it to when i drop off the twig.

Thanks!

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Tom Garver on June 8, 2026, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

John, we need to convert you to the damascus religion. Our God and many of our converts shoot modern low pressure in our damascus guns on a regular basis. Consider reviewing Dr. Drew's testing on modern ammo in damascus barrels. His research is proof positive that as long as your barrels are "tight" there shouldn't be a problem

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 12, 2026, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

Unfortunately I was reared in the cult of "modern loads cannot use Damascus steel" and it is now my Moloch. The damascene passed with my forefathers when we settled the promised land according to our smokeless-powder writ.

No doubt someday the scales will fall from my eyes.

Damascus Mythology

Posted by Drew Hause on June 12, 2026, 1:26 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LFnSG34k3mBhLEjEgU267wAlIa215MNVQZhIiY62Hx4/edit?tab=t.0

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cvqRzkg0wEjhAAcFWr8gFi7aPFRsSIJ_hahfDxmrNAU/edit?tab=t.0

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Tom Garver on June 12, 2026, 4:34 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

John, almost impossible to shoot something this beautiful.

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Tom Garver on June 12, 2026, 4:53 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

John, here are two that have become regular shooters since final restoration in January,2026

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on June 14, 2026, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

All three are works of art.

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by Tom Garver on June 14, 2026, 3:01 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

Thank you, John

Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?

Posted by John Clark on August 3, 2026, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Re: What grade/model is my 12 gauge shotgun?"

Drew Hause called it perfectly.

The good people at the Cody Firearms Museum checked the LC Smith factory records. It is a No. 2 made in 1905.

And yes, the recoil pad is rock hard, so I assume it is original.

If anyone can recommend an appraiser in the Chicago area, I'd appreciate it. I'll want to insure it.

Thanks for everyone's help.

John Clark

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