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Forums10
Topics39,490
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2 |
gunut
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 271
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 271 |
The breech balls and side plate spacing indicate a Fulton gun. Nice find. I hope you got in to it right. Below is a link regarding the differences between Syracuse made guns and those made after Hunter Arms took over. Syracuse vs Hunter Tutorial
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
If I were to decide to sell this Smith in its current state; what would be a fair price so a fellow collector could buy it and put it back into shooting condition?
If you're more comfortable PMing me that would be fine.
Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 |
Thanks Jawjadwag, that is my tutorial and my guns showing the different features.
The last Syracuse hammerless gun I have recorded is 23,553. This gun has L.C. Smith Maker Syracuse, N.Y. on the top of the barrels. There are some before this that do not have a makers name on them and it is my belief that some of these guns were put together after John Hunter bought L.C. Smith. They were either assembled in Syracuse or Fulton and because now owned by Hunter did not put the Syracuse engraving on the barrels.
Serial numbers starting at 24,000 were Syracuse hammer guns, and hammerless guns do not show up again until serial number 30,000 (30028 in my records). These guns had no makers name on the barrels but still had the fine checkering (22-24 lpi), vase shaped ebony tip. They were Quality 2 guns and some had no engraving but still Quality 2.
David
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 485 Likes: 183
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 485 Likes: 183 |
I might have missed this, but what gauge is it?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,418 Likes: 2 |
Iv just been assuming its a 12ga....doesn't look like a 10.....
gunut
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
James, like you said the gun has seen a lot of use.
These guns were available from 1894 to 1912. There were a total of 3,042 made of which most were 12 ga. (2,592). Nitro Steel was first introduced in 1895. There were 242 made with 32" barrels.
The above information is from "L.C. Smith Production Records" by Dr. Jim Stubbendieck of the L.C. Smith Organization.
The problem with the top lever could be where it locks into the barrel's rib extension. From many years of letting the barrels slam closed, the slope on the rib extension gets worn. A good TIG welder could do that and then filing the slope.
If not cracked all the way through the wrist, the stock can be fixed and there are some good men out there that can do this.
A lot of the Quality 3's had some very nice wood.
I have seen more woodcock/snipe on the right side than ducks.
Good luck in what ever you may do with it. Fixed right it would make a good shooter at trap and turn some heads doing so. I'm one of the best TIG welders extant here- work on all grades of tool steels, stainless (300 and 400) and aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. The barrel rib extension into which the rotary locking bolt cams shut when closed was brazed into place when the barrels were joined- the higher HAZ (heat affected zone) from the heat (amperage) input from the tungsten tip could loosen the brazed bond, as heat travels through the parent metal being welded. I would use plasma arc build-up instead. And there is only one gunsmith I would entrust this old "Elsie" to- Buck Hamlin. Hands down..
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
Yes the gun is a 12 gauge and has 2 3/4" chambers. Thanks for the addl. info RWTF. I had no idea that 32" barrels were this scarce.
Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 |
Runs, we are only talking about a few dabs of metal put on the extension rib slope and I doubt there would be that much heat build up. I am familiar with MIG, TIG and arc welding and brazing.
James, in some gauges the longer barrels were more common, and yet in some grades less. Some people seek out 32" barrels. There was no extra price for the longer barrels.
David
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 271
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 271 |
David, your tutorial is excellent. I have referenced it many times. I've also spent a little bit of time recently trying to find where the cleaning ladies have hidden your book on hammer guns. There was an F grade recently on 'broker with a bit of engraving that had me scratching my head.
No doubt ducks are the more seldom seen gamebird. They didn't think twice about putting woodcock on a 10ga, which is somewhat amusing.
Jim, our fellow member, Brian Dudley, also does excellent work. I'm pretty sure he has a recent post on the Parker forum completing recheckering of a Grade 3 LC Smith. Looked fantastic. A letter from the LCSCA might provide you with a little more info regarding the value of the gun. Might have been owned by someone famous.
Last edited by Jawjadawg; 01/19/16 10:23 PM.
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