The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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"E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on July 9, 2026, 3:18 pm

I'm searching for someone who may have an "E" grade hammer gun made by Hunter Arms between 1894-1934. I purchased one that someone ground the side of the hammers and brazed them to the tumblers. I've freed the hammers and would like to have them engraved as original. Would you post a photo here or send it to my email. cedarclyffelodge@gmail.com. Thank you, Tom

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Drew Hause on July 9, 2026, 4:37 pm, in reply to ""E" grade hammer gun"

Tom: Have you seen this Syracuse E grade?
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/lc-smith-shotguns/lc-smith--syracuse--12-gauge-grade-e-engraved-hammergun--30--damascus-steel-barrels.cfm?gun_id=100553901

(The gun is sold so the listing can be posted)

This gun was offered by Greg Martin in 2007 and was listed as an E
https://www.collectorebooks.com/gregg01/shotgun2/Lot-1152.htm

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Drew Hause on July 9, 2026, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Low resolution images and I don't have the SN but I believe this is another Syracuse E

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on July 9, 2026, 5:34 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Thanks for the photos Dr. Drew but my gun was made in 1899, SN 72168. Dr Jim states in his production records that only 28 were made from 1894-1934. This one wouldn't have been included in this count as LCSCA doesn't have the records from 70,000-79,999. Hopefully there is still another one in existence

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Trevor Rice on July 22, 2026, 10:29 am, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Tom, I have Bucks E grade still. Here are some photos of it

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on July 22, 2026, 6:29 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Trevor, thanks for your response but I'm looking for an "E" grade made between 1894 and 1934 made by Hunter Arms. Mine was made in 1899.

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Trevor Rice on July 30, 2026, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

The gun I posted was made in 1894

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Jim Stubbendieck on July 31, 2026, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"
Edited by board administrator July 31, 2026, 4:58 pm

Trevor,

See if "Syracuse" is stamped or engraved on the top rib. I don't think that E Grade hammer guns were made by the Hunter Arms Company, in Fluton, NY or after 1889.

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Trevor Rice on July 31, 2026, 11:08 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Dr. Jim,

They’re stamped Hunter Arms Fulton NY, but it’s stated this may have been the last high hammer gun made before they came out with the lower style

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Drew Hause on August 1, 2026, 6:21 am, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Very interesting Trevor. The 'HUNTER ARMS Co. MAKERS, FULTON, N.Y.' looks to be hand engraved. It is believed that Armour (later Armor) steel for the No. 00 and Royal steel for the F grade hammer gun were both introduced in 1898.
Could the gun have been rebarreled?

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on August 1, 2026, 6:00 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

For the grade I would expect to see some small amount of engraving on the rib extension. Also the extension doesn't have quite a factory fit to the frame.
A couple observations that might support your suggestion that it may have been replaced.

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on August 2, 2026, 4:27 pm, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Gentlemen, thank you all for your insights. The research done by Daryll Halquist, David Williamson and others has established that Hunter Arms completed the Syracuse Era guns possibly for a few years after their possession of LC Smith. In fact, when Hunter Arms began producing hammer guns in 1894 at serial number 50,000 the frames still had Syracuse attributes. I'm looking for an "E" grade made by Hunter Arms as described in Dr. Stubbendieck's production book. Thanks

Re: "E" grade hammer gun

Posted by Tom Garver on August 3, 2026, 8:33 am, in reply to "Re: "E" grade hammer gun"

Corrected photo

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