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

I recently purchased a Marlin LC Smith (circa 1968-1971) that is new and unfired. It is absolutely perfect and has nice wood to boot. My guess is that this gun was made in late 1970. Its serial number is FWM585xx and they only made 500-600 guns after this one.

I have another one of these guns that I bought about 10 years ago that is in nearly as good condition and I use it in the field when a 12gs. is called for.

I doubt that there is a great deal of collecter interest in these guns and don't really care. I buy things that I like and could care less what others think.

I am curious as to what the value of a gun like this is, though. I'm sure there is another one of these guns sitting out there that is new and unfired also....maybe even a deluxe model...what are they worth?

Tom, When Marlin continued to make L.C. Smiths in 1968, the serial numbers used were a continuation of the L.C. Smith Gun Company series, however the number was prefixed with FWM. A short run of special Deluxe Field Grade Guns was also made by Marlin. These guns are in the 100,000 serial number range. a total of 188 were produced and they also prefixed with FWM.
At the time the Hunter Arms Company went bankrupt and the L.C. Smith Cun Company took over (November 26, 1945), the guns in process were finished and serial numbered, after that all new guns numbered in a third series which have FWS as a prefix and that went from FWS1-FWS56,796.
So from serial number FWM56,801 to 59,152 they made 2,351.
As far as value, NIB, is always brings higher money. I did see a 16 ga. L.C. Smith serial FWS17xxx,(1947) NIB for $3799.00.
As far as what either one is worth, it all depends on what someone wants to pay for it. Both models were made in 12 ga. only. Production ceased in 1971.
Blue Book of Gun Values. Field Grade 98% $700.00, Deluxe 98% $1,000.00
Don't confuse this Deluxe model with the 1913 Deluxe Model that went for $1,000.00, it was the highest priced gun made anywhere, including England.

Tom, I have one of the 188 Deluxe models that is in like new condition that has the higher grade wood, Beavertail forearm, and Simmons steel rib. The purist look down their nose at them, but they are pretty nice guns and better than many.
What JDW said about value is about right.
If you run across a Deluxe model, buy it!, and join a relitively small club.

I owned one briefly, worked OK, but sold it. Gunsmith friend told me that they weren't as nice on the inside as the older LC's, but I can't say that I ever looked myself to verify that--although I trust his opinion.

Tom
I too have a LC Smith Marlin that I purchased last year. It is NIB and never fired. Serial Number FWM584XX..produced just before yours. I purchased it because I liked it and not for collector/selling purposes. Back in the early 70's I was a kid who drooled through Marlin catalogues longing to own a Elsie. Retail in 1973 was about $300 which was beyond my means. I had only $99 and end up purchasing a Ithaca Model 37. I know I paid a premium for the Elsie, but I didnt care..($1400.00)..its what I wanted and fulfilled a dream.

Bill, thats good reason enough.

Larry that may be true, but if everything is working, one shouldn't be looking in there anyway.

This guy specializes in stock work. Probably had cracks behind the sideplates, like lots of original Elsies.:)

It's nice to know that I am not alone in my affection for the Marlin LC Smith. I don't know whether I over paid for my gun ($1250) or not, but, I also don't care. These guns are hard to find in any condition.

I found this gun on GunsAmerica and, when I called the dealer, he thought he was selling the new Italian gun. Price was secondary to making sure I got the gun....I didn't dicker.

I have only seen one Deluxe version for sale and I just missed it. On that occasion, the dealer thought he had a field gun NIB, but, it had a beavertail forend and, therefore, it had to be a Deluxe. Anyway, the guns sold for $900 and I was hours late. Somebody had already put a hold on it.

If anyone has a Deluxe for sale, let me know!!!

I had purchased a new standard grade Marlin LC Smith in 1971 for $300 from a local NJ gun dealer. The sidelock was reinforced with epoxy between the sidelock steel and wood which most likely would prevent the common stock splitting problem. My new LC, right out of the box, had enough clearance between the barrels and action to throw a small dog through. Marlin promptly made the repairs under warranty. I sold the gun after its return never having fired it.