L.C. Smith Quality No. 4 Hammerless 30″ 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1890 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,875

WOA#: WY240407DB001

Make: L.C. Smith

Model: Quality 3 (No. 3)

Serial Number: 30343

Year of Manufacture: 1890

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 5/8″

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The top of the rib is marked “THE HUNTER ARMS CO MAKERS. FULTON. N.Y.”. The bottom of the forend lug rib is marked “4”. The left barrel flat, forend iron, guard, and right of the water table are each marked “30343”. The extractor cam’s serial marking is incomplete, but “30” is visible. The forend iron and water table are also marked with patent dates. Each sideplate is marked “L.C. SMITH”. The gun has Quality 4 scroll engraving with fowl scenes on each sideplate and a gold inlay on the trigger guard.

Barrel Length: 30″

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

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib. There is a filled hole for a mid-bead (no bead present). The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, inlaid triangular ebony forend tip, capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. There is an inlay on the bottom of the forend molded with a hunting dog. There are a few minor losses around the edges of the forend and bottom tang. There are some short, thin cracks at the rear of the sideplates. THere are some other scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ and 12 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. Drop at comb is approximately 2″, drop at heel 2 7/8″. The plate has scattered light nicks and scratches with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned Damascus & Case Color

Finish Originality: The barrels have been Refinished, the receiver’s finish appears Original, but has seen some cleaning.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and and a few spots of minor pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 7 or 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The barrels’ brown finish is generally strong, having some light wear . The damascus patterning is strong. The receiver’s case color has mostly muted with scattered minor erosion. The cocking indicators’ lines have worn off. The guard shows handling wear. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. The safety returns to safe automatically when the action is opened. 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 trunk-case with reproduction LC Smith label inside the lid, snap-caps, and a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office Show Search Form. The form indicates that this gun was produced as a Quality 4, 12 gauge, 30″ barrels, Ca. 1890s.

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.

This is an L. C. Smith Quality 4 hammerless shotgun made in 1890. The stocks have been professionally refinished and the barrels have a new browned finish, so the gun looks great for its age. The Quality 4 engraving includes fowl scenes on the sideplates which have been well preserved, as well as an interesting gold inlay on the trigger guard. The gun still locks up tight with good bores and strong mechanics. It will make a neat addition to an L.C. Smith or early hammerless double shotgun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

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