I have a LC Smith also with factory 3" chambers, Tamid. But, mine is not a LRWF Special, rather I believe it is a purpose built pigeon gun. It is a Grade 3 and has 32" barrels and very tight chokes. It DOES have a safety, which many consider an anathema to a live pigeon gun but the provenance shows that the owner was a member of the Philadelphia Gun Club ( the PGC shot a lot of pigeons in that era) when he ordered the gun and I will always believe the 3" chambers in this gun were intended for loads of the era that weren't necessarily wildfowl loads but pigeon loads with extra wadding to improve patterns.That is what the long shells were designed for up until the Super X Magnum load came out, when the extra length was used for heavy payloads of "Luballoy" coated shot.

I have used a few 1 1/4 BOSS bismuth loads in mine . . . . the ones they used to sell that were intentionally lower pressure for vintage guns. I bought a two-hundred round bulk case of them and now am very glad i did because i don't think they offer them anymore. I even saw where they have discontinued loading any bismuth at all due to the problems acquiring it from overseas.

Personally, even though my Smith was designed for the "pigeon loads" of the day I don't use anything in it more than 1 1/8 oz. anymore, because of the potential of the heavier recoil to damage the wood.

Very nice looking gun you've got there. Case colors are awesome.

A few pics of my 3E.

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

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