L.C. Smith was one of America’s famous gunmakers. Starting in 1880, the company, under various owners, built their distinct doubles until after WW2 and again from 1968-1971. Most collectors agree that the finest ones were made before 1914 or so.
This L.C. Smith is from that golden period. It’s super rare — not because of its grade, but because of its condition. Back when it was built, LC Smith No. 1s were at the bottom of the company’s lineup. Most people that bought them used them a lot. Finding one that looks this good is hard to do.
It’s on Gunbroker.com now and the listing ends today, 4/30/2018, @ 10:00 PM. So if you like what you see, bid now!
Beautiful High Condition Pre-13 12 gauge LC Smith No. 1E, Killer wood, Damascus, Excellent: Excellent & scarce “Pre 13”, LC Smith 1E, ejector 12 ga. Here’s one you don’t see every day. An exceptional and unusual Pre-13 Damascus, ejector gun (has modern type 2 ejectors & 3-position safety) with spectacular “above grade” wood and edge-engraved action and top lever. These are becoming increasingly hard to find – especially in this condition. Gun has the majority of it’s original finishes and is tight &mechanically excellent showing little evidence of shooting. (See pics.) Original 30” bores are as they should be: bright and shiny @ .726 L / .725 R, Choked F/F @ .037” per side, 2 ¾” chambers . Condition: Tight and crisp all over, barrels retain 90% of their original chocolate brown, action & lock plates 75%+ case color, trigger guard & other hardware 90% original blue. Excellent screws throughout, sharp engraving. Highly figured English Walnut stock measures 14 3/8” (from ft. trigger) trademark LC semi-PG Stock with “custom” leather covered pad (wood not cut) has a very nice “piano finish” with near perfect checkering. Also comes with original Gutta-percha butt plate and original screws. Again, look at the beautiful wood which is way above grade. Fore end excellent with a pressure scratch by the iron (see pic.) – otherwise excellent. Flaws: Stock finish has light scratches, no dings. Has a small area of light pitting on barrel tops by breeches (pictured) and a nearly invisible surface check repair right of top tang (pictured). “NO” cracks behind lock plates which is typical of older Elsies. All-in-all, a very high condition & scarce gun from the hey-day period for LC Smith. Haven’t seen another anywhere near this condition – especially a Damascus gun with this grade of fit, finish & wood! Perfect for vintage shooting! HISTORICAL NOTE: There were only 10,221 Grade 1s built in all gauges (between 1892-1913) with only 1640 (16%) having automatic ejectors making this the most scarce of the lower grade guns. I have to say that if LC Smith had stuck to this level of quality, they might still be in business today!
