I am looking at a LC smith Eagle grade, very nice gun overall BUT it has Masquelier Liege Barrel Manufactured in Belgium it also has a Simmon vent Rib,???? Is this something out of the deep Thanks to all that respond email me for pic of barrel flats jlyons1@comcast.net

Yes, but that does not disqualify it as a nice gun. If the price is right it is probably a great looking shooter. I once bought a Parker D-Grade with a set of vent rib Boehler steel barrels, so what do I know?

I had a Q2 made in 1895 that had barrels made by Montgomery Wards sometime in the teens.....figured it originally had Dam-ascus barrels and the owner had them replaced while he still had his fingers....

Here's some information on the Eagle Grade Smith. Damascus barrels could be ordered as an option until 1919 so yours could have originally been equipped with them.
Jim

Eagle (1912-1939)

Eagle Grade The 1913 catalog said "In introducing this new Eagle grade, we are presenting an entirely new type of ornamentation. This is especially designed for the shooter who wishes a medium high-priced gun, highly decorated. On the left lock-plate, with a frosted background, is a ring-necked pheasant in bold relief. On the right a duck in flight. The top and bottom of the frame are frosted and interlaced with scroll engraving." The term "frosted" referred to the results from a stippling process. This technique was used on no other grade of L.C. Smith shotgun. An eagle with spread wings was engraved on the top of the lever. Each lock plate was engraved L.C. SMITH, and the serial number was engraved in the trigger guard extension. The base price in 1913 was $115. The Hunter One-Trigger added $25, and ejectors added $11 to the price. Gauges available were 10, 12, 16, and 20. The Eagle Grade was made until 1939 and 562 were made (3-10-gauge, 432-12-gauge. 51-16-gauge, and 76-20-gauge. Automatic ejectors were place on 516 of the 562 guns. The base price in 1932 was $176. It was available with Nitro Steel barrels in 26-, 28-, 30-, and 32-inch lengths. Damascus barrels were available on special order until 1919 in 10 and 12 gauges. The nicely figured, imported walnut stocks could be ordered in any grip style. The right barrel was roll-stamped L.C. SMITH EAGLE GRADE while the left was roll-stamped HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M'F'R'S FULTON, N.Y. U.S.A.

A number of doubles had second sets of barrels made for them as after market repairs. I've seen four or five different names used, such as Atlas, Noble... Countries of origin could be Italy, Belgium and perhaps Spain later or GB if you gun was worth it. Proof marks could narrow down when the barrels were added.

To me, putting a Simmons vent rib on any double gun is like putting false eye lashes on a pig, after you apply make up and lipstick. Does not make it better or even less ugly. Others have different taste or like gussied up pigs.

The barrels are replacements by Masquelier à Liège. The lettre annale is 1960.
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20ma/a%20masquelier%20gb.htm



Simmons provided barrels for the Ithaca SBT and Browning Superposed, Remington 32 and Krieghoff K32 in the 60s, but they were made by Antoine Cordy of Liege. In light of the Simmons Vent. Rib is seems possible that Simmons used Masquelier also.



Steve Tasitritsis 'ATLAS ARMS', 2704 N Central, Chicago and (later) 7952 Waukegan Rd. Niles, Illinois offered replacement barrels for Smith and Parker guns in the 50s and 60s using tubes made by E.S.C. Vickers (England) and fit and finished by Armaf in Belgium
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20a/a%20armaf%20fr.htm

These barrels have a 1954 proof date code.



AND these are replacement Smith barrels by Armi Sarezzo, also 1960. Barrels for Lefevers were also made by one of the Bernardellis of Brescia; handled by a firm in FL named Hardin and Knight



AND there are unmarked Parker barrels out there




Replacement: do you recall who made your Boehler barrels?

Gunut

Fluid steel replacement barrels on an 1895 Quality No. 2 by F. P. Stannard.
In 1897, Stannard was the foreman of the gun repairing department of Montgomery, Ward & Co. From 1907 until about 1916, Fremont P. Stannard and Mathew E. Moran were in partnership as gunsmiths in Chicago.

I have a set of the Bernardelli made barrels of Boehler steel purchased through Harden & Knight around 1970, just prior to their ceasing this operation. It is on an FE grade Lefever, my very first Lefever in fact. I still have the original Damascus set & in fact they are on the gun at present. I already had sneaking suspicions, but at that point had not fully made up my mind it was in fact OK to shoot Damascus under any circumstances. Too much had been written on how Un-Safe a practise it was. Gradually reason seeped through & my Damascus barrels are now my favorites.

Simmons- Simmonds. I have a 12 gauge Eagle Grade made in 1933- It has the factory barrels for that period, unaltered, and the Simmonds Saw Company owner- Gifford I believe- who designed the ventilated rib for the L.C. Smith shotguns-- It has 32" F&F barrels and has the 3 inch chambering stamp, but it is NOT a LONGRANGE model- DT, Ejectors, straight hand grip, Hawkins pad, and the small field style sized splinter forearm with the rectangular shaped latch escutcheon, instead of the famous "banjo" shaped escutcheon.

It is the highest grade Smith I will ever own, the previous owner used it for live bird shooting- doubt that he ever shot any 3" loads in it-- no cracks in the stock near the sidelocks or tangs, but a pal has a similar set-up Crown Grade 12, but with HOT-- and his has a really serious set of cracks near the top tang area-- He shoots heavy turkey loads in his- maybe that's why-

But I'll put a Hillary sign in my yard before I'd ever shoot any 3" or heavy turkey loads in my Eagle grade..

Quote:
"But I'll put a Hillary sign in my yard before I'd ever shoot any 3" or heavy turkey loads in my Eagle grade..:

And good words for all forum members to live by!
Jim

Don't think they are marked, but I showed the gun to the boys at Ivory Beads years ago and they thought the barrels might have been sourced by Frank LeFever. I have not had the gun out in quite a while, but I'll try to dig it out and take a look at the barrels. It came with the original Damascus barrels in good condition, but they would definitely benefit from a refinish.

Thank you. Please send a full size in focus close up of the barrel flats by jpg attachment and I'll post the image, and add it at the end here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17227428
revdoc2@cox.net
I'll be happy to attribute the image if you would like to share your name.