Steve Barnett is a personal friend I've known for many years. He's a good guy who tries to represent things accurately. But sometimes things slip by even him.
Several years ago, he acquired an L.C. Smith A2 damascus 12 ga. that was absolutely the finest classic American double I have ever seen or held in my hands. It was absolutely pristine. Pre-1913 Smiths are in a class by themselves anyway, but this gun was just exceptional.
Steve thought it was a restored gun. I looked it over very carefully. After 40 years of this you learn what to look for in originality. I told him it was absolutely original, and he finally agreed. Got a handsome price for it. That was a gun that really bothered me, if you know what I mean.
Point being, he misjudged that one. But he is really an honest guy, he's just in a dishonest trade.
JR
