doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com L.C. Smith Pre-1913

I would question the originality of the 26" barrels. What is the bore diameter and choke constriction? They would add some hints about the originality of those barrels.

Thanks to Lloyd, David, Drew, Jimmy and everyone who contributed to the addition details concerning my LC Smith. Well, I finally dragged her out of the safe and snapped some pictures. Hopefully I am successful in posting them, please let me know if there are any further specific pictures you may need in assessing if the shotgun has been re-blued. In all fairness I did wipe with gun cloth shotgun before snapping pics.

OK, can't figure out how to post the pics, unsure what it means to insert image links (URLs), can someone assist? Ill also research the board on how to do it.

Thanks I think I got it ,,,,, let me know if you can see the pics.

[img]https://imgur.com/a/FKCBawc[/img]

The gun has been poorly refinished



The 'case colors' on the sideplates and action are from heating the metal with a torch and using cold blue to produce colors



The barrels, triggers and trigger guard have been blued, likely with hot caustic salts meaning the 2 barrels and ribs will, before long, separate.
The barrels are damascus and it is likely they were cut. A gunsmith could measure the length of the choke constriction to confirm, and you might see a gap between the keels and barrels at the muzzle.



We think 'SD&G' is Schoverling, Dales & Gales; a large sporting goods firm in New York City.

If you can return the gun, do it.

Hello Drew,

Thanks for the additional information albeit in your opinion not good. Cannot return, so I guess this makes it an awesome shooter. Odd though, this gun came from the estate of a prominent shooter who shot competition and knew his trade. And according to LC Smith.org site research a 1901 was not offered with Damascus barrels until 1907.

Like everything else, will await/seek alternate opinions.
Thanks again,
R,
ChiefC

Sorry Eightbore,

Didn't see your input, I am unsure if 26" original or not or if I measured correctly. I simply lowered a measuring tape in the barrels until it bottomed out and I recall a rough measurement of 26". Maybe I'll remeasure, what do you believe they should be?

Oh, I also remember measuring the muzzle bore to confirm the gauge and it was at around 20mm.

Thanks
r,
ChiefC

A Research Letter would confirm the original specifications, and possibly to where the gun was shipped
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

No. 0 was introduced in 1894, initially with Twist but by at least 1898 Good 2 Rod Damascus

1902 Sears catalog

They made 216 No. 0" with 26" barrels in 1901 and 1 with 24" barrels.

Drew, David, All,

This is an awesome site thank you all for your contributions in narrowing down my assumptions in new LC Smith (both correct and incorrect ones :-)

Drew, my apologies I misread the LC.org writeup on the No.0 by missing the period " Twist Steel barrels were available when it was first offered, but they were changed to Damascus Steel in 1899. Starting in 1907, new London Steel barrels were an option." As mentioned before I was aware of the history letter, but figured it was a bridge Id cross if the shotgun warranted it.

David, wow, the information you mentioned is really helpful "They made 216 No. 0" with 26" barrels in 1901 and 1 with 24" barrels.". I can definitely exclude the 24" barrel and if it is a 26" then it helps the cause. A run of only 216 No.0's is small, wonder if it boosts its collectability.

This is quickly changing my view on purchasing the History letter, let me mull it over a bit and if I do purchase Ill share for visibility.

Thanks again everyone,
R,
ChiefC