doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com L C Smith F grade

I am looking at an L C Smith F grade from 1914 per the s/n. It appears from the less than great pictures to be original except for a stock repair on the bottom next to the triggers. (the area that gets chewed up from holding down the barbed wire when crossing fences) There is a 1/2" by 1/2" piece of wood spliced in. If not for the color change, it would not be visible, a very good job.

Other than the Hunter Arms/Fulton NY markings on top of the barrels the only mark is CJ on the bottom. Looking at Brophy's book, there were two different types of Damascus/twist steel plus Royal steel offered. Any ideas what CJ means? Was it one of the Damascus steels and if so which one?

Also, what is this worth?

Thanks for any help.

I don't know what the CJ means. If it's not marked Royal Steel, then it's Damascus or twist.. Worth $300 to $400 with the repaired stock

We've not previously seen a 'CJ' barrel mark, nor did any of the known major Smith distributors have those initials http://www.lcsmith.org/faq/distribute.html
There was no 'CJ' in the Syndicat des Fabricants de Canons de Fusil de la Vesdre in 1907
Some fluid steel barrels by Charles Clement et L. Neumann Freres were marked 'C.J.C.J.'
You can see examples of the identified Hunter Arms damascus marks here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17116222

If you acquire the gun, please post an ultra close-up pic of the mark, or send it by jpg attachment to revdoc2@cox.net and thanks!