L.C. Smith Specialty Grade Featherweight FWE 32″ 20 GA SxS Shotgun 1926 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,800
WOA#: WY240407DB005
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Specialty Grade Featherweight
Serial Number: FWE91218
Year of Manufacture: 1926
Gauge: 20 GA, 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Double Barreled Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) 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, the left barrel flat is marked “FWE91218 / S”, the right barrel flat is marked “CHAMBER / 2 3/4 / INCHES”. The inside of the forend iron is marked “FWE / 91218 / PAT’D MAY 28, 1901”. Each side plate is hand-engraved “L.C. Smith” with scroll engraving and fowl scenes. The receiver has scroll motif. The right of the water table is marked “FWE91218 / S”. The trigger plate has scroll motif and “HUNTER / ONE / TRIGGER”. The guard is marked “91218”.
Barrel Length: 32?, Ventilated Rib
Choke: Left: Improved Modified, Right: Full, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead fixed to the front of the rib with a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with a beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks. There is a little fill around the edges of the sideplates and there is a filled grain feature on the left of the buttstock. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″ and drop at heel 2 1/2″. The cast is about neutral. The plate has light wear, mostly at the heel and toe, with well defined serrations. The stocks rate in Fine-plus overall condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent minor pitting in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There is a little finish wear and some light oxidation at the breech-end of the barrels. There are a few other scattered minor marks on the barrels. The receiver has strong case color. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear; the guard’s serial marking is shallow, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. 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: This shotgun comes with an English-fit, leather-bound trunk-case with reproduction L.C. Smith label on the inside of the lid.
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 1926, chambered in 20 gauge with 32” barrels choked Improved Modified and Full. The gun has been restored and is quite beautiful with well-figured deluxe walnut stocks and vibrant case color on its engraved receiver. It has a number of desirable features including its Hunter One Trigger, vent-rib, ejectors, and straight grip. The shotgun is in Fine condition with about 97% of its new finish, minor wear in the stocks, and a good tight lockup. This would make a 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud