doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - L.C. Smith hairline crack/stock: Q

Friend of a friend evaluated inherited L.C. Smith 16 Ga double -Ideal Grade with ejectors (S/N FWE107485, mfd 1927)
They identified a hairline crack on one side of the stock, from pistol grip to recoil pad-
First 2 attachments: hairline crack visible on one side.
Last attachment: 2 views of other side of stock (no crack)

Not a gun guy. This shotgun belonged to my grandfather who passed before I was born, and has been in my mother's possession since my father passed >20yr ago.
I've been maintaining it since my father passed, but with no interest in the family it's time to pass it on someone who appreciates it.
The guy who evaluated it said it's 60% and worth around $2K if the stock wasn't cracked.
Don't know if vintage shotguns with flaws are always kept intact, or sometimes "parted out" ie: one with a flawed barrel and one with flawed stock combined(?)
Location: Central NY. Considering a local auction house in Geneva NY for a few other guns.

Appreciate perspective on value with the described flaw, and recommendations for best options to sell and get a fair return.

Thanks for your time!

https://imgur.com/rOmbLKt
https://imgur.com/3uS8Fvl
https://imgur.com/a/Rdv16BK

I have no idea what that would cost to repair assuming that is an actual crack running the length of the stock, but LC Smiths are more notorious for cracking near the lock plates, and I would assume there are hairline cracks there as well. That said, I had some hairline cracks glued up in one that I owned previously for $100, and that held fine for as long as I owned it. I would look at having someone do an economical repair like that and selling, or just selling as is if you have no interest in keeping it.

For pricing, look at Gunbroker, Gunsinternational, etc. for somewhat inflated list prices and actual historical sales for comps.

If it were me, and I wasn't inclined towards digging in and learning about it, I would probably send to one of the guys who do bigger double gun auctions like Morphy's, Rock Island, etc. and just letting them describe and list it in one of their auctions that is geared towards a double gun audience. I wouldn't list it in a local auction that is going to be geared towards ARs, autoloaders, etc.

Your friend might ask Dan May to evaluate the crack, which BTW probably looks much worse with the stock removed
Daniel May
Oswego, NY 13126
315-626-2605
info@classicgunstocks.com
http://www.classicgunstocks.com

The three pictures linked above do not provide an adequate basis to evaluate the gun, so it would be almost impossible to give an estimate. Based on the condition I can see, I doubt it is a high dollar gun and that you would recover any restoration costs in a subsequent sale.

With respect to shipping, I use USPS. Contact Morphy's or Rock Island for shipping instructions. Double box the gun, and I get HDPE pipe insulation at Home Depot to wrap the barrels, so that they are not dented in transit. I usually spend about $40-50 on shipping per gun. Make sure you insure them.