Eight gauges — the double whopper with cheese of shotguns. In the 19th and early 20th century, ones like this LC Smith were used by waterfowlers up and down the East Coast for long range shots at ducks, Canada Geese and Swans.
This LC Smith is a Quality No. 2 made in the late 1890s. Like all American-made 8s, it’s a rare shotgun. According to the LC Smith collector’s site, LC Smith made just thirty-eight 8 gauge shotguns No. 2. Even though this was a lower middle-grade gun when it was new, it was still expensive. And because it was so specialized a gun, whoever bought it must have been very into waterfowling.
I love the gun’s gigantic, boulder-size fences and genuine wear. It looks very original and like it hasn’t been messed with it all.
LC SMITH 8 GAUGE SXS NO.2 Grade, 32″ barrels, very RARE and very good: LC Smith 8 ga. SXS No 2 Grade s/n 92271 is as described above in very good original condition. And if there were only 2 engraved with a woodcock on the RH side plate then this is one of them. Barrels show nice full covereage damascus pattern with nice brown patina, no dents and very nice shiny bores. Receiver with side plates still showing 20% of faint case colors and nice brown patina. Beautiful fine scroll engraving with the Quail encircled on the left side and the rare woodcock on the right side. Top lever is still well to the right with nice crisp tight action and crisp triggers.Horn pistol grip cap and dogs head inlay in the forend. On the toe of the buttstock has only a thin chip/splinter broken off – only approximately 1/4″ thick, but no cracks and only a couple of very light handling dings to the wood furniture. Gun is of original dimensions the stock nor barrels have been shortened or cut. Very nice for the age.
