I'm not trying to tout a dealer here, but Puglisi Gun Emporium usually has several high original condition Smiths on its website at any given time, and the pictures are pretty good quality. Jack Puglisi has developed his reputation over a lot of years, and if he says a gun is original, I'll believe him.
The only original Smith I have is a late 20's Ideal Grade with about 40% case remaining, and the colors have a definite rose-color hue to them, unlike anything in the "collection" on GunBroker. I have noticed a similar hue on some of the guns on Puglisi's site.
On a related topic, I found a Smith Speciality Grade today, looks like a late 20's gun, no case left but fabulous engraving. Wood is very nice, but the forend fit is terrible and the butt was fitted with a leather covered pad that has rotted off. It's a regular frame 12 with ejectors, and fluid steel barrels eyeball at 28", look original length (have the little dimples in the top and bottom rib ends at the muzzle). Downsides are several minor dings in the barrels that are visible on the inside, a small split in the ebony forend tip, and a couple of small chips in the stock (one by the sideplate and one under the left side near the frame bottom). Has what looks like a standard solid rib, but no gold line inlay near the breach. I'm tempted to buy it just for the engraving, but it's almost a project gun. Asking price is $2K, but I should be able to get it for less. Advice and comments welcomed.
Last edited by Replacement; 11/11/06 01:39 AM.
