I recall reading somewhere that production of a field grade L.C. Smith shotgun involved a month of hand labor. Assuming this was before the inception of the standard 40 hour work week, and assuming it was true, it isn't hard to see why these guns are no longer being produced as they were. Imagine what the company would have to charge at today's labor rates and materials costs, and still tack on enough to make a profit.
All things considered, the typical average prices we pay for good used specimens are a relative bargain.
