Inherited LC Smith 00 Posted by David Gardner on February 24, 2020, 7:28 pm I recently inherited a LC Smith 00 from my mother. She claims it came from her uncle......I think. The gun is in pretty poor shape; dented barrels (nothing terrible I think), hairline cracks in stock, dinged up wood and barrel is loose to the receiver. I do realize that the value of the gun is basically nothing but I would like to restore it. I have family members who have sent LC Smiths to Bill Schwartz in Elijay, Ga.......they have nothing but great things to say about him and I have seen the guns he has done. A little information about the gun. Serial Number 3385XX with 00 under it Hammerless 12 gauge with barrels measuring 28 1/4' Extractor Double Trigger LC Smith on both side plates Right barrel is marked LC Smith Field grade Left barrel unmarked Rib says Hunter Arms Co. Fulton. New York. Bottom side of barrels are marked 42 Armor Steel Receiver is stamped PxTD OCT5-86 and PATD JULY 13,86 Serial numbers on the water table and barrels match. What does not match is the number on the forend metal. It is stamped 15. I removed the metal on the forend to see if the wood was marked but it was not. I have a letter the owner sent to LC Smith in 1949 calming the gun was not working. They sent him a letter back basically saying to send the gun in for work and included a price sheet of their services. Also, on the receiver are stamped first initials and last name of my mothers uncle. I am guessing from the looks of it that he himself stamped them. Was curious as to if he sent the gun in for repair they (LC Smith) would have stamped his initials or not. Also, if it was repaired at some point would that explain the mis matched number 15 on the forend. As far as I can tell the gun is a 1912 production. We believe he is the original owner but not 100%. I was hoping someone would have a little bit more information than what I have come up with so far. I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman and restoring this gun to working condition would be awesome. Like I said before, I do realize it is a basic model LC Smith but the gun needs to be in the field where it belongs.....if possible. I am going to try and figure out how to post some pictures. Thank you and I appreciate the help.

Re: Inherited LC Smith 00 Posted by Drew Hause on February 25, 2020, 12:56 pm, in reply to 'Inherited LC Smith 00' Welcome David. The No. 00 guns were usually ordered by hardware or sporting goods stores rather than individuals, but it is possible that a Research Letter might document the original purchaser https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

Re: Inherited LC Smith 00 Posted by Tom Archer on February 25, 2020, 6:37 pm, in reply to 'Inherited LC Smith 00' David Have no idea as to the forend serial number stamp unless it is possibly the last two digits on the entire serial number(?); but all that really matters on a gun in the condition you describe is does the forend correctly fit the frame and barrels? You didn't indicate if this forend was the snap-on type, or the forend type with the push release; but Hunter's snap on forend from this period was a bit weak and were often lost in the field. As your gun has seen lots of use the current forend could be a replacement for that very reason; but again, all that really matters is whether it properly fits. Having that factory letter is great history and it should be preserved with the gun; just wish you had another stating that it had been returned and what may have been done at the repair shop. But remember if you will that a portion of the gun works building collapsed in February, 1949(the year your letter is dated); and Marlin permanently closed the gun works a few months later in 1950. Maybe it wasn't repaired because your uncle didn't get the gun back before the plant closure? Interesting speculation anyway. Hunter Arms would always place initials/names on a gun on special request, but the job would have been professionally done; and from your description this work is not professional. Back in the 1960's and 70's gun theft was a huge problem and many gun owners resorted to permanently placing their names, initials, and even SSN numbers on the barrels, frames, and stocks of their firearms. This was often done with an electric tool that punched the metal surface at high speed creating an 'engraved' effect (can't remember he name of this tool, but have one somewhere?). This kind of damage can be welded up and the metal smoothed; but since this is a relative's gun, you may want the added character? I suspect, since your barrels have an odd length, that they have been shortened and were most likely 30' originally. The only history of this gun we can provide would be what is found in the original shipping records; and those records will, among other data, provide an answer as to the original barrel length so I encourage you to acquire a research letter as Drew suggested above. There are a fair number of qualified gunsmiths who can perform repairs and work miracles on a Smith gun, so I wish you the best; and can assure you that your only limitation on restoration will be the depth of your wallet.

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L C Smith Featherweight Field Grade 16 gauge SxS Hunter Arms. Serial # 82291, All numbers match! 28 inch armor steel solid rib barrel, Good bluing extractors. MADE 1926 SERIAL NUMBER LISTED ON PAGE 213 OF BROPHYS LC SMITH VBOOK 32' VENT RIB BARRELS FULL AND FULL 2 3/4 SINGLE SELECT HUNTER ONE TRIGGER EJECTORS BEAVER TAIL. Re: Codes on barrels of 1942 L C Smith - stanley April 2, 2013, 6:54 pm. Re: Codes on barrels of 1942 L C Smith - Jack Huber April 2, 2013, 8:27 pm. Re: Codes on barrels of 1942 L C Smith - patriot April 3, 2013, 10:52 pm. Re: Codes on barrels of 1942 L C Smith - Mike December 3, 2013, 9:26 am. Ending this long thread - LCSCA May 5, 2021, 9:12 am. Most of the serial numbers of L.C. Smith shotguns crafted in Fulton, NY are available. However, serial numbers from the company’s beginning through 1888 are not available. According to Col. Smith Shotguns, information is missing on the estimated 9,491 W.H. Baker guns (two and three barrel guns) and 6,223 for L.C.

Lc Smith Serial Number Dates