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LC Smith with Damascus barrels

skicat
I have an old 16 gauge LC Smith that I believe is grade 0, made in 1903, with patterned barrels. I don't need to sell it but I am trying to decide what would be the best thing to do with it. The people I have talked to at gun shops and shows have had values and opinions all over the map. The gun is in decent shape and hasn't been abused but it is over 100 years old. The question is do I maintain it as is, have a professional do restoration work, get 20 or 410 gauge barrels to sleeve inside. I believe I understand the dangers of attempting to shoot Damascus barrels with smokeless shells and have no desire to injure myself or ruin a fine shotgun. So as is wall hanger, restored wall hanger, or sleeved shooter... what do you guys think? Bear in mind any restoration would be mostly cosmetic as the mechanics of this gun are tight. It also feels really good against the shoulder. Thanks for your time...all advice is welcome......Skicat
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Bill DeShivs
    I would get a pair of 20 ga. insert tubes and shoot it!
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
    What's wrong with obtaining the proper loads and shooting as is ?


    My sentiments exactly... [^]

    There is nothing wrong or inherently dangerous in shooting an old quality made SxS shotgun (e.g. Colt, Parker, Ithaca, Remington, etc.) that has damascus barrels just as long as you use the proper loads in it (i.e low-pressure, whether it be black powder or smokeless powder).
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  • laxcoach
    What???? Am I seeing things??
    Bert referring to an "Elmer Fudd" as a "quality made sxs shotgun"!!!!
    That needs to be made a "sticky" !
    Seriously, Skicat--- Berts advice is correct with the added caveat. I would have a qualified 'smith examine the bores for pitting before using any ammo. Lots of us have dismissed the notion about Damascus barrels and enjoy our guns in the field.
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  • laxcoach
    Ah, the perks of being a moderator---- I see you have exercised your edit rights again, Bert !
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by laxcoach
    Ah, the perks of being a moderator---- I see you have exercised your edit rights again, Bert !



    Actually, I did nothing that you can not do. Everyone has the ability to edit their own posts, and that is exactly what I did. I must admit that when I wrote the first reply, I was not fully alert yet, and I should not have included the "Elmer Fudd" special in the group of "quality" made SxS shotguns[}:)]
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  • skicat
    Thank you all for the suggestions. I had originally thought to try low power or black powder loads but was scared off by some of the info I got from "experts" I talked to. You guys give me hope. I didn't want to make it a wallhanger. Now I just need to find a gunsmith in the Minneapolis area. While I have no intention of selling and would like to use it is there anything I should do beyond normal cleaning to maintain or add to the value of the gun. In other words would professional facelift be a bad idea? for the shotgun I mean
    thanks ...skicat
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  • Bert H.
    Other than cleaning the gun, almost anything else you do to it will reduce the collector value... a "facelift" is a definite no-no.
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  • sharpshooter039
    I have the same gun,,I have shot quail with it for 20yrs using short brass #8's. I would never run a highpower shell thru it but I never give it a thought bird hunting with it
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  • skicat
    Bert ... Thanks, that is the answer I expected to hear and happy to have it confirmed.


    Sharpshooter....Thanks as well. I am glad someone else is experienced with the same gun. Are you using factory loads or using your own?
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