We live in enlightened times. One of the things that I find enlightening is how some of the best gunsmiths, who consistently produce the best work, have washed their hands of work of any sort involving L C Smiths.

The safety you are so happy with the location of is a poorly made, sloppy mess according to one of them. You can disagree with him. The guy with the Vietnamese Darne had a gun that, while not ergonomically perfect for everyone, was a hand made and well engineered example of the gun makers art. The barrels were silver soldered in a mono block. Not soldered with corrosive flux. There are other comparisons I could make that highlight the differences, but, you should get the point. Time hasnt been kind to the shortcomings of the Smith, and the sad example our own jOe posted is not a rare sight at most gunshows.

I think you would actually be surprised at the number of people right here who agree with guys like Dewey, and have moved along.

Col Frederick Roseman was an advanced gun tinkerer, by the way, not a rank amateur. He noted in the article he had been able to get any shotgun apart in his hobby, but, almost met his match with the Darne.

Best,
Ted