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

Found an LC Smith in the 145,000 serial no. range, in an old lady's closet... Anybody tell me how to ascertain if it is a Featherweight? Also, even tho' I've never owned an LC Smith; would the overwhelming desire to own a shotgun nicknamed "Elsie" be reason enough to pay way too much for one????? Thanks, Grant.

but it may not weigh any less than a Regular frame

With a Smith gun in that serial number range, the simplest/surest way to determine frame ID is to check the serial number prefix stamped on the water table. If the prefix is an "R" stamp, the gun has a "Regular", or standard Smith frame; if the serial number prefix is "FW", the gun was built using Hunter's "Feather Weight", or smaller gun frame. If the serial number stamp prefix is "RE", or "FWE"; the gun was shipped with factory installed auto ejectors, but the ejector option code was the only optional feature code ever stamped on a Smith gun frame. Note also that these serial number prefix stamps do not apply to Smith gun made prior to about 1917-18 when no serial number prefix stamps were used. Also, Marlin era Smith guns produced from 1945-1950 can be identified by another serial number prefix stamp that will include the letter "S". All Marlin era guns will be stamped with the prefix "FWS" or "FWSE", as Marlin did not produce Smith guns using the "R" frame size. Finally, Marlin made Smith guns produced from 1967-1972 feature another serial number stamp as follows "FWM"; but auto ejectors were never offered on those Smith guns produced at the Marlin gun works.
Finally, the only other Smith gun prefix serial number stamp was for the experimental "C" frame; a hybrid frame that combined the FW sized frame with lock plates from an "R" frame. If this gun should be one of those; then one would pay whatever it took, as collectors are still searching for one of the illusvie six examples noted in Brophy's book (and you won't get lucky, as the serial number you posted is not one of those six).
And as to calling a Smith gun an "Elsie"; I can't do that, as that name reminds me of the Borden's Milk smiling cow logo. To me "Elsie" is a sissy name unbecoming the gold lightning bolts seen on a high grade Smith gun and which are illustrative of the sudden death a Smith gun wields upland game; I just refer to mind as "the Smith".

At a bank the other day checking a company's securities and the manager needed, for some reason, to close the vault. The door was extremely heavy and he was visibly straining to close it. When it slammed shut and the bolts slammed home he looked up at me and said, "Sounds like an LC Smith, don't it?"
I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LC Smith!!

Adding to this thread......I bought the "Elsie" from the old girl. Gave her a fair price; quite a lot more than she wanted. I buy and sell antiques. And my business philosphy is to always pay a fair price; never steal something from an unwitting seller.
Anyway, I ended up with a field grade, 16 ga. featherweight LC Smith shotgun, in excellent condition. In my first post, I inadvertantly gave the wrong serial no. range. 178xxx is the correct range; making it a 1938 era gun, according to the data listed on this site. 28 inch barrels, double triggers, auto safety, middle bead, top lever to right, lots of original finish, to include case colors at about 75%. No cracks in the stock behind the sideplates, or anywhere else for that matter. Close to 100% blue on barrels; dare not look through the bores at too strong a light, they are so shiney. All-in-all a hardly used, properly stored old shotgun.
Was pleased with the slightly under 6 3/4 pound weight, and the willingness to come to the shoulder swiftly.
Never owned a single LC Smith in my 71 years on this earth. Will never stop at just one after adding this one to the safe.......
Thanks to all who answered my original post. Grant.

Grant;
You did well. I was especially impressed by your "Deal", so much more than so many bragging about how cheaply they bought something of value. So many times it was someone who had been trusted & sought out for advise & they were then taken advantage of. I like your philosify.

More than likely your new gun has 2 9/16" chambers, given the date of manufacture. Check the bottom of the barrels for a chamber length marking. If it doesn't say 2 3/4" then it is the standard 2 9/16" of that time. For a using gun, I would have the chambers lengthened so that I wouldn't have to buy the more expensive 2 9/16" shells.

Built around 1938. Tom, that's pretty late for 2 9/16" chamber ain't it?

Chamber length was not marked as standard on L.C. Smith barrel flats until Marlin bought the company in 1945.........."except the 3" long range 12 bore and .410's".....

The chamber length for 16 gauge L.C. Smiths were shown as 2 9/16" until the Marlin purchase in 1945, however, beginning about 1929 a field grade 16 new in the box (serial # FW 124,318) inspected had 2 3/4" factory chambers and the specifications label on the box was so marked....so the Hunter Arms Factory did produce small bore 2 3/4" chambers prior to the early 1940's......

Common sense dictates that with any vintage gun purchase, the owner should measure the chambers for verification.....

If serious shooters will reload, 2 1/2" 16's cost the same as 2 3/4 inch.....all components are readily available....

To butcher any vintage chambers in the quest of "ammo cheapness" is sad indeed IMO....

I�ve always noted on this Board and elsewhere that chambers increase to the standard lengths they are today right around 1925 to 1926. I haven�t encountered a double built in the thirties that has the smaller chamber. Not saying there isn�t one but by then I would think he�s safe. But if you are going to buy old guns buy yourself some way to measure the chamber. They�re real easy to find and I agree with Doug, I wouldn�t change that gun at all not one in that condition.