2047

RARE L. C. SMITH A2 GRADE WITH 3RD VARIATION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
RARE L. C. SMITH A2 GRADE WITH 3RD VARIATION
ENGRAVING. Cal. 12 Ga. 2 3/4". S# 6292. It is estimated that at least 210 A2 grade L. C. Smiths were made between 1892 & 1913. In Houchin's "L.C. Smith The Legend Lives", chapter 10's list of all 210 A2's found in the records does not list this gun, but does list gun number 6293 as a 12 Ga. w/ 28" bbls. shipped August 13, 1901. Factory records indicate that this gun is a Monogram Grade. This gun has 30" bbls. fitted w/ slightly raised matted rib holding white midbead & white & brass front. Scroll engraving within geometric borders is at rear of rib behind gold line. Tops of bbls. are engraved "Sir Joseph Whitworth Fluid Compressed Steel" "Made To Order By The Hunter Arms Co., Fulton N.Y." There are bands of geometric engraving around muzzles & breech ends which are also engraved w/ 2" triangles of scroll. There are 1 1/2" triangles at muzzles. Engine turned bbl. flats are engraved w/ serial number. Bottoms of bbls. have Whitworth "sheaf of wheat" trademarks. Case hardened regular frame sidelock action w/ usual rotary bolt has S# engraved on water table which is also stamped w/ patent dates. Action features early style bushed strikers, automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold) & dbl. triggers. Action has nicely filed fences & is engraved w/ about 70% coverage sm. scroll w/ geometric borders & highlights outlining oval vignettes of dogs on sides; setter on left & pointer on right. Top of action is finely engraved w/ shaded oak leaves. Fences are engraved in shell pattern. Bottom of action & trigger plate depict rose bouquets. Top bouquet has hanging shrouds of oak leaves. Lockplates are near fully engraved w/ scroll matching that found on action w/ geometric borders which surrounds finely detailed hunting scenes w/ a pair of pointers, one pointing an unseen bird behind rock wall & fence posts. The other dog is honoring. Right side shows a pair of setters intent on unseen quarry on rocky hillside under spruce tree. "L.C. SMITH" is engraved at the front portion of each lockplate behind sm. renderings of game birds, quail on left & pigeon on right. Trigger guard bow is engraved w/ a pair of woodcock. S# is on tang. Pistol grip Monte Carlo buttstock of well veined & flame figured European walnut measures 14 1/8" over ribbed hard rubber buttplate over 1/4" spacer. Grip checkering is of standard A2 style w/ fleur-di-lis intrusions behind lockplates & crenelated borders toward comb. Matching splinter ejector forend w/ inlet ebony tip is near fully checkered & has fleur-di-lis ribbons through pattern. Iron is scroll & line border engraved. Serial number is at center & forend has usual J-spring release with secondary knurled roll in rnd. engraved steel escutcheon. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .727", L .727". Restriction: R .024" (MOD), L .038" (FULL). Min. Wall Thickness: R .040", L .039". STOCK: DAH: 4". DA rear of Monte Carlo: 2 1/2". DAC: 1 3/4". LOP: 14 1/8". CAST: neutral. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 15 oz. CONDITION: very good to fine. Bbls. retaining approx. 80% original blue w/ some light freckling, marks & scratches. Action & lockplates retain a considerable amount, perhaps as much as 40% of their muted light brown case hardening color. All engraving remains sharp & clear. Stocks retain most of an old oil finish with open grain and scattered marks. There are some noted repairs of chipping behind lockplates. Checkering shows considerable oil infill of very closely spaced diamonds with some rerunning over an area with almost invisible repair. Checkering on forend is considerably worn & shows one fairly deep dent at center of rear panel. Bores are bright & shiny without any noted problems except for 2-3 light striations in right bbl. & a sm. dent 11" back from muzzle in left. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Forend iron also has a slight bend at rear and wood shows some repairs. (23-1428/MGM). CURIO. $6,500-9,500.