doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com L.C. Smith Trap Gun buttplate - Master?

I recently acquired what appears to be a "mold-master" for an L.C. Smith Trap Gun buttplate. Its made out of steel, with great detail. I was hoping that someone on here might be able to share some insight, and background in what company might have made it, and if it was used (as I suspect) to make the molds for the L.C. Smith Trap Gun buttplates for the Syracuse era guns?

L.C. Smith Trap Gun buttplate

Thanks!
Steve

That is really interesting because I have been curious, and asked the question here and on other sites.... who or what companies actually made the molded buttplates for vintage guns??? I've always assumed the various gun manufacturers outsourced the production of their buttplates to some subcontractor, but never found the answer.

Today, we would expect to find them made very quickly in quantity by the injection molding process. Or maybe they would be cast in silicone molds out of poured urethane resin for small batches, as we see now from those who produce reproduction buttplates. I hope someone can shed some light on what the molds were made of a century ago, who made them, and what process or material was used. Some buttplates appear to be made of gutta percha, but obviously other materials were involved.

What a find, and where did you find it!?
Hunter Arms was very aggressive in promoting their guns for trap shooting and offered a special “The L.C. Smith Trap Gun” buttplate available on any grade.
The buttplate is frequently found on late hammerless Syracuse and c. 1890-1910 No. 0 to 2 grade Fulton guns.

I think you are correct that it may be the original template by one of the L.C. Smith Maker, Syracuse engravers to be used for the mold; which would of course be a reverse image.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we have knowledge regarding the maker of the various Smith hard rubber buttplates. I've never seen one with a logo or name on the wood-side surface.

More information here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rtqfXbMHv08c0iojRUFUV5kR7jIc-7jdinPZEmI9WSc/edit

I'd like to link this thread on the LCSCA Forum. If Tom Archer doesn't know, no one knows.
May I include one of your images?

Hi Drew,
I actually purchased it off of eBay about 2 weeks ago. When I saw it, I knew it was something special, so I purchased it (it was a buy-it now listing). I have already sent the photos to Tom (via email), and he suggested I post them here. He has never seen anything like it before. I can post to the LCSCA forum as well (I am a life member), to see if anyone there knows anything.

Thank you!
Steve