
L.C. LC Smith Ideal Grade Ejector 28″ 16 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1913 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2247
LSB#: 220223JE004
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Ideal Grade
Serial Number: 216822E
Year of Manufacture: 1913
Gauge: 16 GA with 2 1/2” Shells
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun With Ejectors
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “-L.C. SMITH Ideal GRADE-”, the top of the left is marked “HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M’F’R’S FULTON, N.Y.”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “LONDON STEEL”. The left barrel flat is marked “216822 / I”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “216822E” and “PAT’D MAY 29. 1901″. Each side plate is marked “L.C. SMITH”. The right of the water table is marked “216822E / I”. The receiver and sideplates have Ideal Grade oak-leaf engraving. The bottom tang is marked “216822E”.
Barrel Length: 28″
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Modified, Both Full
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: 6 lb., 8.4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. The front of the forend is inlet and would have originally had an ebony inlay, it is currently filled with a triangular wood insert. The forend has cracks at the rear on each side, there are short, thin cracks at the rear of each lockplate. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some odd wear in the buttstock’s finish behind the grip on each side. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 1/4” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with more notable wear at the heel and well defined serrations. The drop at comb is 1 5/8″ and the drop at heel is 2 7/8″. The stocks rate in Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bores.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The barrels have generally strong finish with thinning at edges and scattered spots of minor surface oxidation. The receiver retains strong case color toward the top-rear with wear and minor oxidation toward the bottom-front. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The guard and controls have handling wear with the trigger guard mostly worn to white. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with a usable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. This shotgun has a three-position safety. The middle position is safe. When pushed to the forward fire position, the safety will engage automatically when the action is opened. When pushed to the rear fire position, the safety must be 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. This is an L. C. Smith Ideal Grade shotgun made in 1913, chambered in 16 gauge with 28″ barrels choked Full and Improved Modified. The gun has ejectors, which was the most popular factory up-grade for the Ideal Grade. The gun retains the great majority of its original finish with good detail remaining in its oak-leaf engraving. This would make great addition to any L.C. Smith, double-barrel, American, or really any shotgun collection and could also make a good field shotgun to this day. Please see our photos and good luck!
