L.C. Smith Field Grade Featherweight 30″ F/MOD 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1927 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1000
LSB#: 220117MM012
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Field Grade Featherweight
Serial Number: FW102805
Year of Manufacture: 1927 (Pg. 120 of “L.C. Smith Production Records” by Stubbendieck)
Gauge: 12 GA with 2 3/4” Chambers
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “-L.C. SMITH Field GRADE-“, the top of the left is marked “HUNTER ARMS CO INC M’F’R’S FULTON, NY, U.S.A.”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “ARMOR STEEL”. The left barrel flat is marked “FW 102805 / FIELD”, each barrel flat has a nitro proof. The inside of the forend iron is marked “102 805”. Each side plate is marked “L.C. SMITH”. The right of the water table is marked “Fw 102805 / FIELD”.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun has a brass bead fixed to the front of the rib. The top of the rib has fine checkering for glare reduction.
Weight: 7 lb., 1.1 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with some thinning finish in the grip areas and oddly patterned wear in the buttstock’s finish toward the rear. There are a few scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. There are thin cracks at the rear of each sideplate. The LOP measures 14″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with sharp serrations. Drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8″, drop at heel 2 3/4″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrels have light wear on each side above the forend. The right barrel has a patch of finish wear on the bottom at the muzzle-end and two nicks on the outside edge of the muzzle. Otherwise, the barrels’ finish is generally strong. The figuring of the receiver’s case color is generally strong with the color ranging from strong and bright to muted. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. The safety has three positions, forward is fire but will engage the safety automatically when opened, middle is safe, and rear is fire but will not engage the safety when opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The history of the L.C. Smith firearms is quite interesting. L. C. Smith formed a partnership with L. H. Smith and W.H. Baker to manufacture a three-barrel gun in 1879. L. C. Smith took over the company in 1880 and in 1884 began manufacturing hammer shotguns. Smith became interested in a new-fangled invention called the typewriter, and sold the company in 1888 to John Hunter. Smith went on to form the Smith-Corona company and became a world leader in the manufacture of typewriters. The L. C. Smith shotguns manufactured by Hunter Arms went on to become some of the highest quality shotguns made in the United States. This is an L. C. Smith Field Grade Featherweight shotgun made in 1927, chambered in 12 gauge. The bores are bright and the mechanics are strong. This would make great addition to any L.C. Smith, double-barrel, American, or really any shotgun collection and would also make a fine field shotgun to this day. Please see our photos and good luck!