IMO- fewer LC Smith pre-1913 stocks tend to have splits behind the locks or at the top tang areas, regardless of the gauge or grade- I have 5 12 gauge Smiths, 4 are pre-1913, one is a 1941 Ideal- 3 are ejector guns, 1 has Damascus barrels the rest Nitro proofed steel, 4 have DT, one has the HOT-- so there is a mix to compare with. I have acra-glass reinforced the lock and inner stock head areas, and I only shoot 1150 fps or lighter loads in them- and I shoot a lot- so far, so good-

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..