Nudge,
The Baker Gun Company sold it's business to the Hunter Brothers who had some unknown silent investors backing them in 1888. However in 1884 L.C. Smith started making Hammer Guns in Syracuse, Ny. It was estimated by Bill Brophy from the old records he found that about 3,792 Hammer guns were built from 1884 to 1886 in Syracuse. In 1887 2,165 L.C. Smith guns, both Hammerless and Hammer guns were sold, before L.C. Smith sold the company to the Hunter Brothers. All this information is in Bill Brophy's Book, The L.C. Smith Shotgun. These guns were 12 and 10 Gauge guns. See the full historical write up in Bill's Book.
Unfortunately the only other remaining artifacts/documentation on the Syracuse operation are the hand written notes from Lyman C.Smith to his brother George, in a little note book that Bill Brophy recovered long ago from the Hunter Arms building in Fulton, NY.
The Hunter Arms - L.C. Smith 20 Gauge #1 Gun was available in 1907. However in 1892 the L.C Smith A2, 20 Gauge could be special ordered. Some Hunter Arms pre production 20 Gauge guns were special made to order, prior to 1907.
My Great Grandfather's 1898, 20 gauge #2 gun was a pre production Special ordered gun. The only one of it's kind known to Bill Brophy.
I recommend you purchase both Lt Col William S. Brophy, USAR Retired - The L.C. Smith Shotguns and John Houchin's - L.C. Smith "The Legend Lives" Lots of great L.C. Smith historical information in both books. As Bill Brophy indicated it was impossible to provide all the historical information in his L.C. Smith book.
Nudge I accidentally wrote 1889 instead of 1898 in the prior post you quoted when talking about the special order #2 Gun.
Dave B. - L.C. Smith Man
Last edited by Ryman Gun Dog; 07/24/18 01:35 PM.
