L.C. Smith Shotguns
I need to find the values for two well-used but not damaged L.C. Smith shotguns a friend brought in for me to evaluate but not to buy them although they are for sale, both appearing to be field grade, can't tell for sure of grade but both have Damascus twist barrels. They were hunting guns for his dad and grandfather. I had at one time two L.C. Smiths in 12 ga but both are long gone now.
One is a 12 ga and the S# makes it mfg prior to 1900.
The other is in 10 ga and has some nickle plating left inside the receiver under the barrel area and most of the outside nickle is gone with the undercoat of copper intact. I didn't find any references of nickle plating on L.C. Smith shotguns. The S# is 4-digits, two different 4-digit numbers and does not seem to have any reference to any S# range, the Internet sources stating that the early ones didn't have S#'s. I enquired with the L.C. Smith Collector's but didn't receive a reply.
One is a 12 ga and the S# makes it mfg prior to 1900.
The other is in 10 ga and has some nickle plating left inside the receiver under the barrel area and most of the outside nickle is gone with the undercoat of copper intact. I didn't find any references of nickle plating on L.C. Smith shotguns. The S# is 4-digits, two different 4-digit numbers and does not seem to have any reference to any S# range, the Internet sources stating that the early ones didn't have S#'s. I enquired with the L.C. Smith Collector's but didn't receive a reply.
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And so I'll assume Bloomington... Somewhere South.
Photos are a necessity as a verbal description just doesn't cut it. I assume both are field guns and you say well used. Damascus tubes rule out use with modern loads, so the guns have little interest to most users today.
We'll start with the plated gun. You will invariably be told that Smith did not offer plating as an option. This is true... Sort of anyway.
Without making a long production I'll share what I know. The Hunter factory did not offer plating, however it was possible to obtain a nickle plated gun from Hunter. (Never chrome and your description of a copper undercoat leads me in that direction.)
Hunter out-shopped the job to a firm in Rochester. Evidence that this is not a home grown aftermarket job is in the details. You'll note the careful masking of contacting components and the absence of any binding if Hunter was involved in the process. Plating adds a layer of metal to any component and cannot be allowed anywhere near critical components.
The reason I know this for a fact is that I had two of my beloved Smiths rebuilt at the original Ithaca Gun in the mid 80's. One was plated. The elderly gentlemen in the Ithaca Custom Shop spoke of the men who made my guns as if they were merely on coffee break. It was as if I was personally introduced to those who finished my guns at Hunter.
When asked about the plating on my gun they related the above. When asked to have it removed they laughed... And sent it to the same firm that had plated the gun a half century before in Rochester.
And now to speak of potential values:
Damascus tubes unless nitro proved (not done here in the US) should only be fired with black powder loads. Both gauges are acceptable for field use, though the 10 ga. may be a bit stout for upland hunting.
Either gun in well used but good mechanical condition will probably never top the $400 mark. This isn't to say that you won't run across a black powder shooter willing to pay more, but it's usually the opposite.
As to a question about serial numbers:
L.C. Smith guns were first made in Syracuse, NY. As memory serves the Syracuse production ended in the late 1880's and then resumed at Hunter Arms in Fulton about two years later.
Late Syracuse and early Fulton guns differ very little, except that the Fulton guns will be marked on the barrel tops as such. Serials are another story entirely as they were recycled and are very confusing to say the least.
Photos my man... Photos!0
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