doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com LC Smith Barrel Replacement

I have bought barrels for L.C. Smith's and have found out that I didn't have to do anything but once to have them fit. I have one hammer gun that has 4 other barrels plus the one it came with and the only barrel I had to work on was a Field Grade with Armor steel barrels. This one I had to take some of the chamber faces as it would not let the entension rib go fully into the slot in the receiver. I also took some off the hook because I didn't want to take much off the chamber side. The others all fit like they originally belonged to the gun. This hammer gun is from 1908 and I bought it when hammer guns were not popular for $75.00, the barrels were cut to 25 3/16". The barrels range from 1899 to 1927 and the 1927 set is from a Specialty grade with 32" barrels, ejectors and a ventilated rib. The hardest thing is fitting a forend on because you cannot modify the forend to the original set of barrels, so on the other barrels all the work is done on the barrels.
Since all L.C. Smith's were production guns all the barrels were set on a jig to get the loop and the lug to be in the same place on all guns. Higher graded guns went to various skilled workers for wood choices, checkering, engraving, etc.

Also to defend L.C. Smith's because many critisize about the cracks behind the locks, this is from using American walnut which is not good for side lock shotguns. I have never seen a Syracuse L.C. Smith with cracks behind the locks, this is because they used European walnut.

I have an LC Smith "C" grade hammergun. I bought an extra set of barrels and they didn't even come close to fitting. The serial numbers were only 1400 guns apart.

12boreman, I believe your "C" grade is a Syracuse gun and they were not production guns. I was talking Hunter Arms Co., Fulton guns.

If its a 12 ga, why not have Briley put in a set of 20 or 28 ga tubes into it?

John
Quality Arms
Arrieta

If you own Brophy's book, you've seen photos of cracked high-grade guns stocked with European walnut.

12boreman, I just now realized what you wrote having a "C" grade. If I could ask you to send me the serial number, barrel length and gauge. I collect serial numbers and what ever information I can on Syracuse L.C. Smith's. Also if you could send me some close-up pictures of the engravings I would appreciate that. In my records I only have two C grades. The highest grade was AA, B, C, D, E, and F. Only one AA has been seen.

Also I would not have this gun sent to have a set of tubes made for it. If this gun is in good condition you could buy another few guns for what this is worth.

jdavidw1@comcast.net

Bluestem, If the gun were post 1912 they were American walnut maybe some with Claro walnut on the highest grades which was an option.. Like I stated I have never seen a Syracuse L.C. Smith with a crack behind the locks and I have seen many hundreds.

I'll defer to your experience, but there are graded Smiths out there with cracked European walnut stocks (e.g. A2 and No. 3 Grade), which tells me that wood quality alone does not account for the Smith crack.

A quick update… Jerry found a set of barrels which I believe are 26” in M/F. He will do the fitting.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to chase a few late season huns and chukars with it.

My thanks to all for your input.

Good news! Jerry called, and has located a set of barrels that will be fine to use for hunting.

Is there a reliable source of 2 1/2” Low pressure, 16 gauge loads, other than RST?

Reloading them yourself is the most reliable source that I know of.