doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Meriden vs LC Smith

At first glance, Meridens and Smiths seem similar in terms of design and function. Both are sidelocks, and the shape of the locks even look roughly similar. Not to get too deep into technicana, but are there any major differences between the two I'm not aware of?

Locking system & cocking system are different.

I'd bet you'll find every bit of steel in an L.C. Smith harder than the Meriden. Lengthy discussion of the soft steel used in entry-level guns in Chas. Askins 1910 book The American Shotgun.

Mark, I can't add to the discussion on the technical comparison of the two makers, but this is one fine example of the work Meridian put out and excellent photos of the complete action: Meridian

-jmc

The LC Smith is built like a brick $hithouse and locks up like a bank vault or should I say a bank vault locks up like an LC Smith. The Meridan ain't built like that.

The Meriden locks with two under lugs and a third fastener. They're case hardened frame and parts as is the LCS. The top lever mechanism is all different in the Meriden and simpler than the LCS as there is no rotary bolt to operate.
A plus when assembling/disassembling if the LCS top lever spring gives you fits in re-assembly.

The difference in locking systems is up for argument which is better.
Either properly fitted gives a life time of service.
Poorly fitted worn or abused, neither does it's job.
Both are used on a number of other guns to perfect satisfaction.

Plenty of loose LC's out there as well as any other shotgun action. They're just machines and mechanisms after all and they all wear, wear out and/or break down for any number of reasons.

The Meriden was never built to be a high class gun in the first place. But several high grades were offered. A few of the very highest were engraved by Gough. I was lucky to own & shoot one of those for a couple of years.

Jim,

Do you think that the Meridan shown in JMC's link to GI was engraved by Gough?

Roger

The Double Gun Journal Spring 2010 p. 126

The 1904 Meriden City Directory shows John and William Gough as contractors for Parker Brothers. In an article published in the Utica, N.Y. newspaper Aug. 29, 1954 - "William Gough took comissions on special engraving jobs from many parts of the country. There he worked on engravings for Aubrey Guns..."

Thanks for quoting my article. We know that Meriden had their own engraving dept. A newspaper photo of the engravers has been located.

Do I believe that Gough did the orginal design work? Yes, I do. Daryl has serial number 1000. To date no earlier serial number has surfaced. It is deeply engraved, a beautiful piece. The early guns have much better engraving as a rule.

Gough was contracting work to Parker, Fox, etc.

Pete

Engraving Dept. 1907