Check out the screw heads on the lock plates, and the front top tang set screw- you have to move the opening lever over as you would to unbreech the gun- all the screw head slots are boogered- which usually mean some hamfisted numbnut took it part, God only knows why- does the automatic safety function? Many times, when an amateur field strips an Elsie, they lose the connecting slide-I never buy a Smith gun of any vinatge unless the seller will allow me to CAREFULLY REMOVE THE LOCK PLATES- IF HE SAYS NO- no sALE- THERE ARE MANY sMITHS OUT THERE FOR SALE- imo- THE BEST ARE THE PRE-1913 series- better wood available and more hand fitting, even on the OO and O grades- why better walnut before 1913- WW1- rifle stocks, airplane props, etc chewed up a lot of walnut--
