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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250 |
Don't know how original the gun is, but most vintage American fowlers are sans the Euro slings. Good there, but not so good here! I'd have to subtract some style points.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
Well, if they only made 150 of those, it really doesn't matter if the stock is refinished (more like overcoated) and it has swivels. If you want one, this is likely the only opportunity you'll ever have to own one, given the numerical probabilities.
Pretty much anything can be fixed, given enough skill, work and/or money. Will it be "original"? No, but then how many of these guns are there?
Me? I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to put a sling on my 20g 391 so I can take pics while phez hunting next yr.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12 |
I collect 10ga Elsies.It is strange but over the last two years, four 10ga Ideals have come up for sale 3 Damascus 1 Steel. Out of 153 guns thats an amazing number. 1223 post-1913 field grade 10ga guns were made, I have not seen even one for sale in the last four or five years. You would think a few more of the field grade guns would show up on the market. That's collecting. Here is a picture of my 10ga Ideal and 10ga Pigeon. 
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,477 Likes: 54
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,477 Likes: 54 |
OK, now I want an Ideal with Damascus barrels. Curses!
I'll see my new-to-me Ideal 12 with fluid barrels later today. No swivels.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,457 Likes: 278
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,457 Likes: 278 |
Craig, the steel Pigeon is wonderful. I opened the box on a Parker 7 1/2 pound 28" Damascus EH ten yesterday. I covet your Smith tens.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12 |
Bill thanks for the compliment regarding my 10ga Pigeon. Bill you are the high priest of large bore guns! I believe Lem Ward shot a 10ga Ideal Smith, the gun is display at the Ward Museum. You eastern shore guys know what a real gun looks like!
Last edited by Craig Larter; 02/23/08 07:01 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 631 Likes: 5
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 631 Likes: 5 |
.......Me? I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to put a sling on my 20g 391 so I can take pics while phez hunting next yr. That should be an easy one. factory magazine end cap can be had with swivels attached to a pin on the front. I had an old 302 20g with one an I believe that piece is interchangeable with any other 3xx beretta auto. You can either get one of the straps that loops around the grip or install a second a swivel on the stock to match it. If I remember correctly it was a 1.25 or larger loop so 1" straps are not necessary.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,457 Likes: 278
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,457 Likes: 278 |
Craig, it's been a few years since I've visited the Ward Foundation Museum, but I'll check out the Smith ten next time I'm down that way. I have a Parker being held hostage in that town (Salisbury) so I should get down there as soon as possible.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 496 Likes: 12 |
Bill, a 7 1/2 lbs 10ga, that is light. Is it a #2 frame gun? I believe the lightest Smith 10ga was 8 1/2 lbs, but I have never seen a 28" Smith 10 bore either. 7 1/2 lbs would be a real upland killer considering that 1 1/4oz was a popular 10ga load back in the 1910's.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 170
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 170 |
Gentlemen I viewed the gun today. First the facts. The chambers have not been opened up, they are still original. The finish is a for sure redo, someone posted an overcoat...that might explain it, but it's for sure fresh, to me anyway. It very well could be a restock but if it was, it was a decent job. Bores are great. Barrel length is 30" and I was curious about that, the chokes check out and they are full and extra full. Stock has the infamous crack at the appex of the right lockplate. The blue was suspect to me as well, but I could not honestly say for sure. The lettering on the barrels looked awful shallow to me as well as a few other guys who viewed the gun right before me.
The Swivels were for sure an add on after it left the factory. The swivel in the buttstock was off center, Hunter Arms would not do that. With all that said, even with the issues listed, it is a decent gun. I declined though, as I laid the ground work for a high grade Smith, and that trumped this gun.
As Craig mentioned above, very few of these have come on the market lately. I just missed another 10g Ideal from Elmira Arms...it was solid shooter and was priced at $2100 I think!
I just got home from Louisville where I viewed the gun. 700 mile round trip in one day, I am a little tired, but had great fun.
By the way I saw two .410 L.C. Smiths sell...both very high condition. Lots of doubles this year, but as far as the L.C. Smiths go, not as much quality this year as last year.
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