Very nice. You have a L.C. Smith Quality No. 3 made by Hunter Arms Co., Fulton New York in 1895. I believe there is a faint damascus pattern visible underneath the blueing. Nitro-3 Fluid Steel was first available on No. 3 guns in 1895 however. The top lever has been blued, and was originally case colored, as were the receiver and lockplates.
Beavertail forends were not offered until 1920, so the gun may have been restocked at some point (and I believe it was based on the wood to metal fit of the lockplate.) If you'll look underneath the trigger guard, an original stock would have the serial number stamped into the wood.
You can learn alot more on the L.C. Smith Collectors Association site
http://www.lcsmith.org/Check 'Shotguns', 'FAQ', and 'Photo Trail' on the Home Page.
Please review the 'Disassembly and Reassembly' FAQ and be sure that the hammers are cocked before reattaching the forend.
BTW: unless special ordered, Smith 12g chambers were 2 3/4" from the beginning of production
Any idea how this treasure made it to Germany?
