L.C. Smith Specialty Grade 16 GA Full 32″ Hunter One SxS Shotgun, 1927 C&R

Sold for $2700.00

LSB#: 220812VH055

Make: L.C. Smith

Model: Specialty Grade Featherweight

Serial Number: FWE98244

Year of Manufacture: 1927

Gauge: 16 GA, 2 9/16”

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) and Ejectors

Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “L.C. SMITH Specialty GRADE”, the top of the left barrel is marked “HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M’F’R’S FULTON, N.Y., U.S.A.”. The bottom of each barrel is marked with a registered patent and nitro proof mark, the left barrel flat is marked “FWE98244 / S”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “98244”. Each side plate is hand-engraved “L.C. Smith” with scroll engraving and fowl scenes. The receiver has scroll motif. The right of the water table is marked “FWE98244 / S”. The trigger plate has scroll motif and “HUNTER / ONE / TRIGGER”. The guard is marked “FWE98244”.

Barrel Length: 32″

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Full, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead fixed to the front of the rib with a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.

Weight: 7 lb., 6.6 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a beavertail forend, inlaid ebony triangle at the front of the forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and brown rubber Kick-Eez buttpad. The stocks have some scattered minor marks with more notable marks along the comb and belly. There is infrequent crazing in the finish, mostly at the front edges of the wrist. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad and 12 3/4” to the back of the wood. The drop at comb is 1 1/2? and the drop at heel is 2 3/8?. The pad has some wear and discoloration, but is still supple. The stocks rate in Very Good-Fine overall condition as restored or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: The receiver’s finish appears Original, the barrels and guard have been refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and a few spots of very shallow pitting in the bores.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The barrels have strong finish with a few minor marks and some thinning on the edges of the rib. The receiver has strong color in protected areas such as the water table, under the lever, and around the edges of the fences. Other areas have muted with some showing minor surface oxidation. There is handling wear on the guard. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. The safety does not engage automatically upon opening but functions properly when engaged manually. 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. When Marlin bought the Hunter Arms Co. in 1945, they began manufacturing the same guns under the L. C. Smith Gun Company title. A fire caused destruction of most of the manufacturing capability in 1949 and in 1950, the factory was closed.

This is an L. C. Smith Specialty Grade shotgun that was made in 1927, chambered in 16 gauge with 32” barrels choked Full. The stocks have been refinished or replaced and look outstanding. The barrels similarly have been refinished, though the case color on the receiver appears original. The shotgun is in Very Good-Plus condition with about 87% of its finish remaining and a good tight lockup. This would make a 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!