L.C. Smith Hunter Arms Specialty Grade 20 GA 28″ SxS Shotgun, C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,630.00
LSB#: 240425JE003
Make: L.C. Smith, made by Hunter Arms
Model: Specialty Grade
Serial Number: FWE89578
Year of Manufacture: 1913 – 1919
Caliber: 20 Gauge, 2 1/2” Chamber
Action Type: Side by Side Double Barrel Hammerless Shotgun with Single Select Trigger and Ejectors
Barrel Length: 28”, Cut
Choke: The left barrel measures Full, Fixed. The right barrel measures Improved Modified, Fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead fixed to the rib above the muzzles. The top of the rib is finely checkered to help reduce glare.
Weight: 6 lbs, 0.7 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood featuring a splinter forend with an ebony-colored nose piece, a capped semi-pistol grip, a straight comb and a hard rubber buttplate. The wood shows a few light nicks, scratches, compressions and a few minor handling and storage marks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 14” and 13 1/8” from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The drop at the comb is 1 5/8”. The drop at the heel is 2 5/8”. The cast is neutral. The stocks are in Fine Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is a bit of stubborn fouling but no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate an 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some light nicks, scuffs and handling marks scattered about. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear except for a couple of the rounded surfaces are partially incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel lockup is tight with no play to the receiver. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their 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 made between 1913 – 1919, chambered in 20 gauge with 28” barrels. The finish looks great and you owe it to yourself to see the photos, the work is gorgeous. The shotgun is in Fine Plus condition with about 97% of its 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 in your bidding!
-J. Ren
