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..
