I am fond of the L.C. Smiths--I prefer to own and shoot the pre-1913 graded ones in 12 gauge-- But I read and re-read Dewey Vicknair's thesis on various double guns, and would agree with him 100% on his analysis of the Smith hammerless mechanics-- ditto the faults with the Ithaca Flues, and of the over-complexities of the Parker design.

That being said, I got involved with "Elsies" because: (1) there were more of them on the market, especially in 12 gauge, at pricing way below the Parker and A.H. Fox shotguns, and because I found the lines of a sidelock shotgun more "graceful" than those of a boxlock double.

I have never shot anything "hotter" than a AA Trap load in any of my Smiths--and over the years, I have epoxied the wood of the stock head in that "vulnerable" area under the locks--

I only own 1 Smith post 1913 series- a Ideal Grade "LONGRANGE" series- 32" F&F, DT, AE- and in the past 5 years since I bought it, have NEVER shot a 3" Mag shell in it, nor any Steel shot either. It had been in storage for years since the original owner bought it, and no cracks in the wood anywhere. I intend to see that it stays that way. I mainly use it on high crows and barn pigeons with AA 7&1/2 Trap loads-- if I do my part, birds crumple and leave a big cloud of feathers in the air.

The only gunsmiths I know of who work on Smiths today are: (1) Buck Hamlin in Mo., and (2) Jerry Andrews in West VA. No doubt, some of the gents on the L.C. Smith Collectors know of others.

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