1901 L.C. Smith Hunter Arms Grade 3e 12 GA 25" CYL/CYL Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun
Our Assessment: The history of the L.C. Smith firearms is quite interesting. L. C. Smith formed a partnership with L. H. Smith and W.H. Baker to manufacture a three-barrel gun in 1879. L. C. Smith took over the company in 1880 and in 1884 began manufacturing hammer shotguns. Smith became interested in a new-fangled invention called the typewriter, and sold the company in 1888 to John Hunter. Smith went on to form the Smith-Corona company and became a world leader in the manufacture of typewriters. The L.C. Smith shotguns MANUFACTURED by Hunter Arms went on to become some of the highest quality shotguns made in the United States.This an L.C. Smith shotgun made by Hunter Arms in 1901. This one has wonderful game scenes on the lockplate. The No. 3 was usually offered with a quail scene on the left plate and a duck scene on the right plate. This one has the quail scene but the right plate is engraved with the Rarer woodcock scene. The barrel has been cut to 25". Still, this shotgun is a beautiful nice old L.C. Smith that would make a great addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!
Make: Hunter Arms Co.
Model: L.C. Smith No. 3e Grade
Serial Number: 5018
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Action Type: Side by Side Double Barrel Top Break Shotgun
Markings: Standard Hunter Arms L.C. Smith markings
Barrel Length: 25", Cut
Choke: Both barrels measure Cylinder Bore, Fixed as cut.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead fixed to the rib above the muzzles. There is a smaller mid-bead fixed to the rib. The top of the rib is textured to help reduce glare
Weight: 7 lbs, 7.6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two-piece checkered wood featuring a splinter forend with ebony tip inlay, a straight grip, a straight comb and a Jostam Mfg ventilated recoil pad. There is a small chip loss and crack at the rear of the top tang. There is a faint hairline crack at the rear of the left lock plate. There are cracks at the rear of the forend. The wood of the buttstock is shy to the metal. The checkering is strong. There are scattered light handling marks and some little marks through the finish. The LOP measures 14 1/4" and 13 1/2" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad and 13 1/4" and 12 1/4" to the wood. The drop at the comb is 1 1/2". The drop at the heel is 2 1/8". The cast is neutral. The stocks are in Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates an 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The frame has finish loss and thinning throughout. There are scattered areas of discoloration from previous oxidation. The barrel set has some areas of thinning and finish loss. There are scattered nicks, scratches and some areas of minor erosion. There are some dents in the bores. The screw heads are well-defined. The markings are clear. The forend iron, barrel flat and water table are serial-matching. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel lockup is tight with no play to the receiver. We did not fire this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
CA LEGALITY: C&R: YES, CA PPT: NO.
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