Hunter Arms Co. L.C. Smith 28″ CYL 10 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1890 Antique

Sold for $3225.00

LSB#: 220812VH032

Make: Hunter Arms Co.

Model: L. C. Smith, the engraving appears to be consistent with a No. 3 Grade

Serial Number: 30036

Year of Manufacture: 1890

Gauge: 10 GA, Black Powder Only

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “HUNTER ARMS CO. MAKERS FULTON NY”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “+++” and the bottom of the forend lug assembly is marked “3”. The left barrel flat is marked “30036”, found again on the inside of the forend and the water table. The inside of the forend is also marked “PAT’D JUNE. 1. 80”. The water table is marked “PAT’D MAR. 28, 83 / JULY. 13, 86 / OCT. 5, 86”. The extractor drum is marked “30036” on the left. Each sideplate is marked “L.C. SMITH”. The receiver has scroll engraving with a woodcock scene on the right panel and quail on the left, each in an oval. The guard is marked “30036”.

Barrel Length: 28″

Choke: Cylinder Bore, both Fixed

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead screwed into the rib near the muzzle. The rib is finely checkered to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered English walnut with an ebony-tipped splinter forend, inlaid hard rubber dog’s-head medallion on the bottom of the forend, capped semi-pistol grip and a checkered black hard rubber buttplate with a hunting dog scene in the middle. The stocks show minor wear with some nicks and scratches on the right of the buttstock below the comb and a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4” and 13 1/4 from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The drop at comb is 2″ and the drop at heel is 3 1/4″. The buttplate shows light wear, mostly at the heel and some discoloration with well defined checkering and decent detail in the dog scene. The stocks rate in about Fine-plus overall condition a restored Antique.

Type of Finish: Damascus & Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with some scattered minor erosion. The right bore has a few minor dents at the muzzle-end.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have generally strong damascus patterning with some scattered spots of light oxidation and a few minor marks. The receiver has some areas with good color remaining, most areas have muted or gone to a light patina. The receiver has a few minor nicks and scratches with a couple of pry-marks at the top edge of the right sideplate. The guard has some scattered light oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, the patent markings are shallow and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The faction functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. The safety is a three-position, forward is fire but the safety will engage when the action is opened, the middle is safe, the rear is fire but the safety will NOT engage when the action is 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 shotgun made by Hunter Arms in 1890. It is an intriguing example as it a a 10 gauge, fairly scarce among these guns, and it appears to have No. 3 grade engraving, though that grade had not yet been introduced in 1890. The gun is in beautiful condition for its age, with restored stocks and much of the original metal finish remaining. This is a nice old L.C. Smith and a scarce variant that would make a great addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!