L.C. Smith Hunter Arms Specialty Long Range 12 GA 32″ SxS Shotgun 1925 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2526.01]
LSB#: 210218LW03
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Specialty Long Range
Serial Number: RE84343
Year of Manufacture: 1925 (Pg. 120 of “L.C. Smith Production Records” by Stubbendieck)
Gauge: 12 GA, 3” Chambers
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger 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, they are unevenly struck, deep in some portions and incomplete in others due to the rounded surface of the barrels. Each side of the barrel flat has a proof mark and logo, the left barrel flat is marked “RE84343 / S”, the right barrel flat is marked “CHAMBERS / 3 / INCHES”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “RE / 84343 / PAT’D, MAY. 28TH 1901”. Each side plate is marked “L.C. Smith” with scroll engraving and fowl scenes. The receiver has a scroll motif. The right of the water table is marked “FWE69825 / S”. The trigger plate has scroll motif and “HUNTER / ONE / TRIGGER”. The trigger guard is engraved “CA” and the bottom tnag is marked “RE84343”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “LONG RANGE”.
Barrel Length: 32″
Choke: Both Full, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun has a brass bead fixed to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Weight: 8 lb., 13.5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood with a beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and Old English recoil pad. The stocks appear to be Pachmayr customs. There are a few little compressions, most noticeable on the front of the grip and on the belly. The grip cap has cracked. The checkering is well defined, mostly sharp. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The drop at comb is 1 1/2? and the drop at heel is 2 3/8?. The cast is about neutral. The pad has light wear. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished, we belive by Pachmayr.
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The edges of the muzzles appears to have been chamfered and there is a little scallop out of the front of the rib on both the top and bottom. There is some thinning on the bottom of the receiver with some scattered spots of oxidation. There are some light marks on the metal, most noticeable on the bottom of the receiver. There is a little pool of finish on the top of the right barrel at the muzzle next to the rib. There is a bit of thinning at the muzzle. The finish on the bottom of the rib is slightly uneven. There is some darker finish up against the rib. There are a couple spots of light frost on the barrel. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear, some are a bit light, most noticeable on the right chamber. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: 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 Field Grade Specialty Grade shotgun in Long Range configuration made in 1925, chambered in 12 gauge with 32” barrels. The finish looks great and you owe it to yourself to see the photos, the work is gorgeous and appears to be Pachmayr custom. The shotgun is in about Fine Plus condition with about 95% of its original finish remaining and nice bores. 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!