L.C. Smith Specialty Grade 12 GA 32″ Hunter One SxS Shotgun, MFD 1929 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3550
LSB#: 220323RS004
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Specialty Grade
Serial Number: 122479
Year of Manufacture: 1929 (Pg. 120 of “L.C. Smith Production Records” by Stubbendieck)
Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4” 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. Each side of the barrel flat has a proof mark and logo, the left barrel flat is marked “RE122479 / S”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “122479”. Each side plate is marked “L.C. Smith” with scroll engraving and game bird scenes. The receiver has a scroll motif. The right of the water table is marked “RE122479 / S”. The trigger plate has scroll motif and “HUNTER / ONE / TRIGGER”. The trigger guard is engraved with scroll engraving and the bottom tang is marked “122479”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “LONG RANGE”.
Barrel Length: 32? Vent Rib
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified. Both chokes are Fixed.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun has a brass bead fixed to the front of the rib. The rib has a white midbead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Weight: 8 lb., 5 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood with a beavertail forend, skeleton capped pistol grip, straight comb and a textured red recoil pad. The stocks appear to be Pachmayr customs. There is some damage to the left side of the forend at the top rear corner. There are some scattered compressions and draglines. The most noticeable compressions are on the belly of the buttstock. There are light handling marks. The checkering is well defined, mostly sharp. The LOP measures 14 5/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The drop at comb is 1 5/8″ and the drop at heel is 2 5/8″. The cast is about neutral. The pad has light wear. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished, we believe by Pachmayr.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion but there are light depressions in the bore likely from pressed out bulges or reamed out erosion, this was likely done at the time of refinishing.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are light handling marks on the receiver. The barrel has a few patches of oil staining, most noticeable on the left chamber. There are a few scattered areas of erosion on the barrels under the finish, most noticeable on the top of the right barrel about 4″ from the muzzle. There are a few scattered little scuffs and tiny marks through the finish on the barrels. There are light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear, some are light and incomplete. The incomplete markings are mostly on the bottoms of the barrels and obscured with the forend installed. 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 Specialty Grade shotgun that was made in 1929, 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 based on the wood and quality of the work. We wish there was a signature so we could be 100% but no matter the case this is a gorgeous shotgun. The shotgun is in about Fine Plus condition with about 96% 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!