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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,174
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,174 |
I've never owned a classic American double. What do yall think about the field grade LCs? Worth having? I am considering one in 20ga.
Thanks!
Adam
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,522
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,522 |
A well maintained 20ga LC is certainly a desireable gun. Beware of stock dimensions, cracks behind the locks, chamber lengths.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 621
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 621 |
If it is an older gun be careful, and have it checked out. Sear engagement can change when the wood inletting around the locks shrinks over time, causing the gun to double.I had a beautiful Field Grade 12 ga. FW w/ejc. ,26in. barrel IC/M, straight grip and beautiful wood, made in 1937. It had not been shot in 46 years. First few rounds were o.k. but then it started to double. Sent it to a top notch gunsmith...verdict... going to have to restock. I sadly sold it to someone who wanted a wallhanger for their den decoration, where it hangs today.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 150
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 150 |
I think they are a great gun. I've got a king's taste and a peasant's income. A field grade Elsie is a fine gun for someone with a hankering for Americana. 1907 Grade0 20gauge  1910 Grade00 12gauge  1949 Field Grade 12gauge FWE 
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859 |
Adam, You might really like an Elsie. They usually handle very well, IMO, especially in the smaller gauges. While I use a 20 ga. 687 SP II Sporting for 90% of my dove work I take my 16 ga. Field Grade Smith out for late season doves a couple times a year, and shoot it just as well as I do the 687, even though it is choked very tight in both barrels. Look until you find a really nice one. They are out there.  16 ga. FWE, 32" Field Grade with Hunter One Trigger SRH
Last edited by Stan; 08/22/12 08:09 PM.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 119
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 119 |
L.C. Smith's take a bad rap for having cracks behind the locks. Most of this is from shooting the wrong type of shells through them over the years.
In looking for a 20 ga., anything before the mid 1930's will be chambered 2 1/2", and any that might have been made in the factory with 2 3/4" chambers will have Chambered 2 3/4 Inches in an oval on barrel flat.
Guns made later in the 30's will have 2 3/4 inch chambers and will be stamped as such.
16 ga. were chambered 2 9/16" and the bores were .650. The bores in later guns were .662 and in the late 30's the chambers were also lengthened to 2 3/4" and will so be marked on barrel flat.
Stan if the gun in your picture is a 16 ga with 32" barrels you have a rare one. Not many 20's or 16's with 32" barrels out there.
David
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859 |
L.C. Smith's take a bad rap for having cracks behind the locks. Most of this is from shooting the wrong type of shells through them over the years.
In looking for a 20 ga., anything before the mid 1930's will be chambered 2 1/2", and any that might have been made in the factory with 2 3/4" chambers will have Chambered 2 3/4 Inches in an oval on barrel flat.
Guns made later in the 30's will have 2 3/4 inch chambers and will be stamped as such.
16 ga. were chambered 2 9/16" and the bores were .650. The bores in later guns were .662 and in the late 30's the chambers were also lengthened to 2 3/4" and will so be marked on barrel flat.
Stan if the gun in your picture is a 16 ga with 32" barrels you have a rare one. Not many 20's or 16's with 32" barrels out there. David, I am not an avid L.C.Smith collector, but knew that it was indeed very unusual, if not rare, to find a 16 ga. Field Grade that had the combination that it does, 32", HOT, and ejectors. When I found it on a table of Elsies I actually had my pick of two 16 ga. 32" Smiths, but the other one was a graded gun in high condition, and I wasn't willing to spend what it cost. Here is a pic of it full length. Sorry for the leather lace-up, but it is my favorite way to get an easy 1/2" more LOP on a classic gun.  SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 119
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 119 |
Stan, yes they are very uncommom and especially in the options you have. Lools like a decent piece of wood for a Field Grade also.
Under the for-end does your have a piece of metal shaped into a U between the barrel's for-end hanger (loop) and to where the barrels are joined at the water table? They call it a re-inforced splinter.
It is there to take the load off the for-end loop from coming loose when doing a lot of heavy shooting.
David
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,061 Likes: 1859 |
I don't remember, David. I'll try to remember to look and see tomorrow.
i bought a big mixed lot of paper 16 ga. shells last year, at Ward's auction, for regular shell prices. I'll be shooting those up for a while.
One day I hope to run across a nice set of appropriate 26" or 28" barrels that I can have fitted to it. Would make a nice quail/dove gun like that.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,726 Likes: 129
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,726 Likes: 129 |
Adam, you have great taste in doubles as evidenced by the guns you do own and have posted here. I am surprised you have not delved into the American classics before. I have no doubt you will pick a nice one; be sure to share the search with the rest of us.
Sweet Elsie is as good a start as you could pick. Good luck!...Geo
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