doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1947 Field Grade LC Smith

I am not much of a gun trader but I am an excellent gun accumulator.
I have and hunt with Elsies. A 1947 field model solid rib, extractor, very tight action, a fair amount of case left and blue worn as would be expected from a gun that was hunted, nice bores, has come up for auction sale locally. It is much newer than any I currently have. It is also a gun you could hunt with without worrying over a new scratch or ding.
Can anyone help me
with the quality of 1947 model and just a ball park value?

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all you folks. I hope the new year is kind to you.

Swampman

Well, look at these

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=532144207

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=532499855

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=532213902

gauge ?

Sorry, 12 gauge 2 3/4"

I bought a 1947 Elsie Field around 2005 in very nice condition for $600, so about $700 out the door. Gun has very light wear, excellent case color and good original wood finish. Have not shot it in a few years, but I think it's 30" M/F, maybe 28". Prices seem softer now, so probably a $500 gun today.

Skeettx,
All three of those guns you posted links to are Hunter guns, more valuable than post-'45 guns IMHO. I'm not a fan of the high rib nor the somewhat lower grade of wood. Without pics--$500 tops.

YES!! and the middle gun is Field grade, ejectors and HOT trigger.
Mike

No, No, No, they are worth thousands more. Just not those three.

$400.00 for a field 12, and they should be happy to take it. There just isn't much use for them anymore.

The second one has a replacement stock and for-end. The ejectors and HOT would add value and would bring that price if it had it's original wood.
The last one is a Regular framed honest wear 00 grade and would be a decent buy at around the $450 range.

I bought a Field Grade FW 12- 30" M&F- with extractors and HOT from Kirby Hoyt 2 years ago 90% original Blue and case colors on receiver, 95% wood and original BP-splinter forearm, high solid rib (a $5.00 extra option first offered in 1939-- for $800 including insured Fed Ex- best bargain Smith I have yet bought- have turned 4 figure offers for it. I also have a 1945 Ideal FWE with DT I bought at the June Sagola SC shootfest in June 2010 from Norm Lorentsen- 28" Ic. and Mod. also with the raised saolid rib-and came with the origianl pre-Marlin factory yellow tag- $850 back then, and Not for sale- My other 3 12 gauge Smiths are graded pre-1913 ejector guns, also NFS- and Santa brought me a 1934 Ideal 12 R frame LONGRANGE 32" 3" chambered shotgun with HOT and Ejectors-- replacement stock by Bishop, which tells me the first owner may have had problems with magnum loads and stock cracking issues- Brad Bachelder is swapping out the HOT for regular fool=proof DT configuration, and acra-glas treating the stock. I think 12 gauge LC Smiths are the best buy in a good working double- their ejectors are near fool-proof, unlike the "Carriage bolted" doubles so many seem to like, there are many out there, and if you prefer 12 gauges as I do, and field grades, you have many to choose from. I try not to comment on the auction prices on "GunBusters" as I get tired of incorrect data in the ads- have seen 3 dealers describe the pre-1913 rotary disc style joint and extractor design as "automatic ejectors"-- Armor steel spelled as "Armour Steel"-- Damascus barreled Smiths reblued, etc- and stock repairs glossed over with smudgy fotos-- Know this- on all pre-1913 mfg. LC Smiths, from grade 2 (or 2E) up-- the top and bottom barrel ribs had the hand filed at the factory half-moon shaped dimples, same on the post 1913 series from Ideal grade on upwards- positive proof that the barrels were NOT cut down by some hancksaw Harry- I am currently checking into with great suspicion a dealer on GI who has a 12 Eagle grade with 29" barrels, both choked Imp. Cyl. we shall see- and all LC Smiths in 12 gauge have std. 2& 3/4" long chambers, with the exception of the LONGRANGE series. Beware of the dealer(s) on GunBusters who list a LC Smith 12 gauge with 2 &5/8" chambers- hard to believe the factory would do that even on special order on a field grade Smith shotgun. Good luck in your search..