doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Interesting L.C. Smith

Saw a 1928 (serial no. 1139xx)16 gauge Smith today. Appears to be unfired with almost all case colors and ejectors as an added bonus. 28" barrels, DT, splinter FE, nice wood etc. Just a high condition field grade gun - but it was a presentation gun given to (HAROLD E. MILLER 1934) engraved into the left lock. Anyone ever heard of Mr. Miller? Pretty common name even in 1934.
He probably wasn't real important or he would have been presented a graded gun instaed of a field grade. Does the engraving take away from the value factor that it is a 1928 gun in such high condition?

Best regards,

Yes, the gun is valueless, sent it to me and I will care for it.

Actually yes, the engraving detracts a bit, but this is a field grade gun and should not be a major distraction.

Mike AKA Harold E. Miller

Closest that I could get, maybe a gift from the family

http://www.brooksfuneralhomes.com/FuneralNoticeDisplay.asp?Name=Harold%20E.%20(Skip)%20Miller


Interesting that he was running the business (1934) before he graduated high school.

It is possible Mr Miller worked for a company and was presented this gun for years served. He might have been a supervisor or foreman and the workers presented this gun to him maybe when he retired.
In 1937 the Field Grade was listed at $43.50. With the engraving maybe a few dollars more, so in 1934 it might have been the same.
As far as value, if in the condition you state, I think the engraving with his name on it would enhance the price. Afterall how many guns do you see out there that were engraved with someones name and not punched into the stock.

I bought a 16 gauge Model 12 at a gun show about four months ago and it had engraved on the left side of the receiver, in block letters: "MIKE", and under that in smaller block letters: Xmas, 1928.
I think it gives the gun an interesting history that does not hurt the value at all.

Personally, I would value the gun on its merits, i.e. condition, and disregard the engraving. Now, if the engraving was done with an electropencil, all bets are off.

Times were tough ca. 1934 so he could have been person of importance. Last name Miller being very common we will never know for sure. I do not like peoples names on any of my guns not even their SSN numbers.

Seems that one always hears someone say: "Wonder what stories that gun could tell"? Well, an engraved name is about a close as the gun can get to tell any story!

I Love the stories....

Not long ago I looked over Colt Bisley in very good shape. Under one of the grips chased on the frame was Carbuncle or Arbunkle? Oregon Territory 1907. Apparently at that time there was lawman in Oregon with that name. For a brief moment I wished my last name was Carbuncle but it is not so I passed on the gun. While there is nothing with names on guns it's just not my "cup of coffee" so to speak.

In the museum at Fort Sill, OK, there is a Colt SSA with Comanche chief Quanah Parker's name engraved on the back strap. I think it was a gift to Quanah from rancher Burk Burnett.
Assuming it was for sale and that you could afford it, would you turn something like that down?