L.C. Smith D Quality Hammer Gun 30″ 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, Antique

SOLD FOR: $983

WOA#: WY240407DB003

Make: L.C. Smith

Model: D Quality Hammer Gun

Serial Number: 21088

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1890

Gauge: 12 GA

Action Type: Top Lever Opening External Hammer Double Barreled Shotgun Extractor

Markings: The top of the rib is marked “L.C. SMITH MAKER SYRACUSE N.Y. DAMASCUS STEEL.”, the bottom of each barrel is marked “XX”, the left barrel flat is marked “21088 / D”. The extractor cam is marked “21088”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “PAT’D JUNE. 1. 80 / 21088”. Each sideplate is hand-engraved “L.C. SMITH”. The water table is marked “PAT’D MAR.29.83” and “21088 / D”. The guard is marked “21088”. The receiver has D Quality scroll and line engraving.

Barrel Length: 30?

Choke: Left: Improved Cylinder, Right: Improved Cylinder, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead fixed to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with a splinter forend, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered hard rubber L.C. Smith buttplate. The forend has an ebony tip. The forend has a loss at the top edge on the right-front. There are some scattered small nicks and minor scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8? and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The drop at comb is approximately 2 1/4″ and drop at heel 3 3/4″. The cast is about neutral. The plate has even moderate wear. The stocks rate in Fine-plus overall condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Damascus & Case Color

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. There is some scattered light pitting and a few shallow dents visible in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The barrels have generally strong damascus patterning. The receiver is worn to white. The sideplates have some muted case color remaining. The guard is mostly worn to white, appearing to have been cold-blued in the distant past. There are some scattered light nicsk and scratches. There is infrequent faint surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. 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: This shotgun comes with an English-fit, leather-bound trunk-case with a glass oiler and snap-caps.

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 D Quality Hammer Gun that was made ca. 1890. Its 30″ damascus barrels are chambered in 12 gauge and are each choked Improved Cylinder. The gun has been restored and is quite beautiful for its age with well-figured deluxe walnut stocks. The shotgun is in Fine condition as refinished Antique and still has a good tight lockup. This would make a great addition to any L.C. Smith, double-barrel, American, or really any shotgun collection, especially with the included case. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud