*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE A-3 L. C. SMITH.

SN 204351. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Bbls with high matted rib are engraved “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co. FULTON, N.Y.” on tops. Breech ends are engraved with 2-1/2″ triangles of scroll with inlaid gold lightning bolts; tops of breech sections with small triangles of scroll, and matching scroll on rib extension. There are 1-1/2″ triangles of scroll at muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN. Whitworth Steel sheaf of wheat trademarks are stamped on the bottom of each bbl. Standard weight action features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid) and single selective trigger. Action is engraved in typical “A 3″ late style with nicely cut and shaded scroll of various sizes, rose bouquet highlights, and geometric borders, as counterpoint to relief engraved oval vignettes of dogs on each lockplate; a setter on left, and pointer on right. Scroll engraving on action and lockplates is also highlighted with one or two game birds flying through scroll. Trigger plate portrays a portrait of a spaniel. Fences are very nicely carved with relief attenuated acanthus scroll. The quality of workmanship in all this relief engraving is beyond compare; dogs are lifelike. Blued trigger guard has matching scroll on bow, and SN at grip. Very fine, smoky marbled and lightly stump figured European walnut round knob semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over ribbed composition buttplate. Borderless checkering at grip has fancy crenelated outline and fleur-di-lis ribbons through pattern. Matching splinter ejector forend has inlet ebony triangular tip and guitar shaped secondary release escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.727, right -.726. Bore restrictions: left -.035 (Full), right -.033 (Full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.033, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 13-1/2”. This gun is pictured and described in L. C. SMITH; THE LEGEND LIVES on pp. 115 through 120. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of John Houchins. CONDITION: Excellent, near new. Bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig blue, with a few light marks. Action and lockplates retain approx 90% orig case hardening color, silvered on bottom of action. (Actual percentage difficult to assess due to the relatively light color of the hardening, especially on lockplates, as well as the extensive engraving.) Trigger guard retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig bright blue, engraving still sharp. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with a few light scratches and marks, commensurate with the remainder of the gun. Bores are excellent, bright, and shiny. Action is tight. Mechanically crisp. An exceptionally fine, investment quality, example. A total of 19 “A-3” guns were made. 4-50879 (65,000-85,000) – Lot 3460

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3460	$109,250.00	EXCEPTIONALLY FINE A-3 L. C. SMITH. SN 204351. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Bbls with high matted rib are engraved “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co. FULTON, N.Y.” on tops. Breech ends are engraved with 2-1/2″ triangles of scroll with inlaid gold lightning bolts; tops of breech sections with small triangles of scroll, and matching scroll on rib extension. There are 1-1/2″ triangles of scroll at muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN. Whitworth Steel sheaf of wheat trademarks are stamped on the bottom of each bbl. Standard weight action features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid) and single selective trigger. Action is engraved in typical “A 3″ late style with nicely cut and shaded scroll of various sizes, rose bouquet highlights, and geometric borders, as counterpoint to relief engraved oval vignettes of dogs on each lockplate; a setter on left, and pointer on right. Scroll engraving on action and lockplates is also highlighted with one or two game birds flying through scroll. Trigger plate portrays a portrait of a spaniel. Fences are very nicely carved with relief attenuated acanthus scroll. The quality of workmanship in all this relief engraving is beyond compare; dogs are lifelike. Blued trigger guard has matching scroll on bow, and SN at grip. Very fine, smoky marbled and lightly stump figured European walnut round knob semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over ribbed composition buttplate. Borderless checkering at grip has fancy crenelated outline and fleur-di-lis ribbons through pattern. Matching splinter ejector forend has inlet ebony triangular tip and guitar shaped secondary release escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.727, right -.726. Bore restrictions: left -.035 (Full), right -.033 (Full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.033, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 13-1/2”. This gun is pictured and described in L. C. SMITH; THE LEGEND LIVES on pp. 115 through 120. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of John Houchins. CONDITION: Excellent, near new. Bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig blue, with a few light marks. Action and lockplates retain approx 90% orig case hardening color, silvered on bottom of action. (Actual percentage difficult to assess due to the relatively light color of the hardening, especially on lockplates, as well as the extensive engraving.) Trigger guard retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig bright blue, engraving still sharp. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with a few light scratches and marks, commensurate with the remainder of the gun. Bores are excellent, bright, and shiny. Action is tight. Mechanically crisp. An exceptionally fine, investment quality, example. A total of 19 “A-3” guns were made. 4-50879 (65,000-85,000) – Lot 3460 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE A-3 L. C. SMITH.