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Forums10
Topics38,374
Posts544,009
Members14,391
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209 |
thanks the story of this gun is something confuse 1. number shows the gun was made in 1895 2. the trigger wasnt available before 1901 3. the steel barrel was available but is maybe a replacment from the 1920 years 4. the stock isnt original but nobody can tell me if the beavertail forend looks like a original forend later replaced from fulton what I read about the single trigger isnt amusing, a gunmaker's hour cost here 60 euro +. I think he need the first hour to understand how the trigger works. have the gun again in my hands in two weeks und will look for the things you note + barrel length, chamber length etc. here are two pics I dont use before because of quality, maybe it helps.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,091 Likes: 192
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,091 Likes: 192 |
Sorry, I should have added "non original forend" to my comment that the gun has been restocked. Neither were replaced at Fulton. Have you determined that the barrels are fluid steel as opposed to blued over Damascus? Either way, the gun would have no collector value here. Any attempt at a restoration would exceed the value of the gun before it was 20% complete. Nice gun but with little cash value.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,720 Likes: 48
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,720 Likes: 48 |
pwm, those barrels look original to the gun with the correct stampings. If they are Nitro Steel, they will be stamped as such about 2" (5 cm) past the barrels watertable (flats).
For Fulton to replace the original two triggers for a Hunter One-Trigger would cost $25.00 and in a 1948 Repair Price List the cost was $45.00 for all guns. So it wasn't uncommon for guns to be sent back to Fulton for this work.
Also as eightbore stated, I doubt that Fulton did the stock or beavertail. Whomever did it, looks like a nice job and also as stated the gun is not a collector gun but still is a good shooter. Over here a collector gun must be all original and have nothing done to it, even if the condition is not 100%.
Last edited by JDW; 03/10/09 03:16 PM.
David
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Thanks for the added fotos pwm. The view of the barrel lug and the protruding pins, plus the Grade stamp- 3 and the serial number are helpful. If this Smith has Nitro steel barrels, that is the original specification for a Grade 3. They were also available in a Chain Damascus. In aprox 1907 (from a reprint catalog) this fine Smith with double triggers and extractors sold at $100.00- $15.00 more for auto ejectors, and an additional $25 if you ordered the Hunter One Trigger. The lug view, plus the earlier fotos, shows to my amateur eyes at least, the earlier Syracuse NY mfg. style of extractor. I have read that there may have been some overlap or confusion in accurately tracking down early serial numbers for Smiths, no doubt due to the hand written records, tags, ledgers used back then. If your Smith has at least 28" Nitro Proof barrels, even though it has been restocked, and I can test fire it if you are back in the USA, I may be interested in buying it, assuming you wish to sell it. The engraving and the sculpting on the locks and frame of the early Smiths, also the Syracuse Dan LeFevers, is first rate in my book. You have a fine gun, and it may not be original, but if you like it, and can shoot it comfortably and kill your birds cleanly with it, I would keep it. RWTF-- Guten Tag mein Fruend!!
Last edited by Run With The Fox; 03/11/09 01:49 PM.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209 |
RWTF please send an email to pwm.larsboettcher$gmx.net
replace the $ with an @
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
PWM- aka Herr Boettcher- Ich tue diese Pfosteneile!!PS- besides the Norinco copy of the great John Browning 1911-A-1 pistol (I carried one while in the Service as a TO weapon) I also noticed the partial views of two men sitting on the table, more of the legs and lower body, and the boots- with the heavy terrain tread design, also the Rucks on the table and other gear (no ALICE packs though) makes me wonder if the two men partially shown are Military or were formerly in a branch of the Military? Just curious. PS added 12/Mar- I took your asking price in euros to Chase- at current exchange rate that is a fairly favourable price, and were it original (perpetual virgin et al) it would be very favourable indeed. And a wire transfer of funds from US $ to DeutcheBank is only $20 US- what stops me from going ahead is the unknowns here- I have the old time habit of only buying a gun I can physically examine, and possible test fire. If we went through the international network and complied with the FFL rules here in the States, it would be almost impossible to set up the usual 3 day inspection/return for refund that ALL legitimate gun dealers offer their customers. Also, all my double, whether ejector or extractor gun, have two triggers and I would tread lightly with a Hunter One Trigger until I had friend Buck Hamlin check it out- all extra $ and time-Is there a chance, with your military pal Herr HauptFeldwebel that you could see it there in Germany to perhaps an American at one of the many Military bases? MY C.O. at Quantico loved Smith and LeFever guns, collected them and hunted with them, there might be a Bird Col. over there with deep pockets that would like to own that sweet old Elsie of yours. Might be worth looking into, and I hope you get that fine Mauser BA rifle you want. Prost!!
Last edited by Run With The Fox; 03/12/09 01:07 PM.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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