*EXCEPTIONALLY RARE (18 MADE) L.C. SMITH A-3 PIGEON GUN WITH EXTRA OPEN CHOKE BARRELS.

SN 4001. (1900) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 28″ and 30″ Whitworth steel bbls with raised, matted, solid ribs, have gold inlaid pigeons at rear portions of ribs, and are engraved “Sir Joseph Whitworth Fluid Compressed Steel” and “Made to Order By THE HUNTER ARMS CO Fulton, NY”. The style of engraving differs between the two bbls. Breech ends of bbls are engraved with 2-1/2″ triangles of small scroll intersected by gold inlaid lightning bolts. There are 1-1/2″ of triangles at muzzles behind geometric bands. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with SN. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Whitworth trademarks. Splinter of 30″ bbls is stamped “A 3”. Loop of 28″ bbls is stamped “2”. Typical regular weight L C Smith action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) and Hunter One trigger. Action is engraved with exceptionally well cut full coverage small scroll with rose bouquet and other floral highlights within narrow geometric borders. Semi-relief larger scroll is on fences which also have nicely filed beads. More of this relief scroll extends to top of action and lockplates where it is interspersed with simple small scroll and floral highlights surrounding oval vignettes of bird dogs carved in high relief. Both of these scenes are very well done, and depict a pointing setter behind a stump on left plate, and an alert pointer behind rocks and grass, on right. “L. C. SMITH” is in lunate device beneath and in front of tumbler pivot. Blued trigger guard has had engraving removed from bow, and has SN at grip. Nicely marbled, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-1/4″ over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Borderless checkering at grip is of convoluted design on rear margin, and has fleur-di-lis ribbon intrusions into pattern as drop points. Each bbl set has its own dedicated ejector forend, the one for 28″ bbls stamped “2” on interior of iron, both of which are nicely scroll engraved, and have 1901 ejector patent. Checkering pattern on both forends is of near full coverage with many ribbons through the pattern. There are contrasting wood tips, and releases are of typical J-spring and knurled button type, both in guitar shaped engraved escutcheons. 28″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.735, right – .735. Bore restrictions: left – .006 (IC), right – .000 (cyl). Wall thickness: left – .022, right – .023. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-11/16″. Cast: approx 3/8″ off. Weight: 7 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 13-1/4″. 30″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.734, right – .729. Bore restrictions: left – .048 (extra full), right – .040 (full). Wall thickness: left – .026, right – .023. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-13/16″. Cast: approx 3/8″ off. Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 13-1/4″. Gun is accompanied by an old Abercrombie & Fitch Leg o’ mutton case with space for action and two bbls. PROVENANCE: L.C. Smith Collector Letter, Griffin & Howe A&F Letter, and copy of orig ledger. CONDITION: Very Good as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all old re-blacks, engraving considerably softened, and over many light marks and scratches. Action retains a considerable amount perhaps as much as 20% orig case hardening color, mostly where protected by fences, balance is a very pleasing pewter gray. This color also describes the lockplates. Engraving remains very clear. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish over a number of light marks, with subsequent wear through. Checkering on forend for 28″ bbls is worn smooth at right bottom; remains good on forend for 30″ bbls and buttstock where it appears to have been re-cut. Bores are excellent with both sets, bright and shiny throughout, with some leading present. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger appears to work well, but selector is stuck in right bbl first position. Case leather is good but hinges and handle are detached. Straps are broken. A neat old, as found, L. C. Smith, of the highest grade made at the time. Houchins pictures an A3 on the cover of his book “L C SMITH THE LEGEND LIVES”. Another similar to this gun is on the dust jacket of L. C. SMITH SHOTGUNS by Brophy. 50540-1 MGM66 (35,000-55,000) C&R – Lot 3501

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2016

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
	3501	$46,000.00	EXCEPTIONALLY RARE (18 MADE) L.C. SMITH A-3 PIGEON GUN WITH EXTRA OPEN CHOKE BARRELS. SN 4001. (1900) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 28″ and 30″ Whitworth steel bbls with raised, matted, solid ribs, have gold inlaid pigeons at rear portions of ribs, and are engraved “Sir Joseph Whitworth Fluid Compressed Steel” and “Made to Order By THE HUNTER ARMS CO Fulton, NY”. The style of engraving differs between the two bbls. Breech ends of bbls are engraved with 2-1/2″ triangles of small scroll intersected by gold inlaid lightning bolts. There are 1-1/2″ of triangles at muzzles behind geometric bands. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with SN. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Whitworth trademarks. Splinter of 30″ bbls is stamped “A 3”. Loop of 28″ bbls is stamped “2”. Typical regular weight L C Smith action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) and Hunter One trigger. Action is engraved with exceptionally well cut full coverage small scroll with rose bouquet and other floral highlights within narrow geometric borders. Semi-relief larger scroll is on fences which also have nicely filed beads. More of this relief scroll extends to top of action and lockplates where it is interspersed with simple small scroll and floral highlights surrounding oval vignettes of bird dogs carved in high relief. Both of these scenes are very well done, and depict a pointing setter behind a stump on left plate, and an alert pointer behind rocks and grass, on right. “L. C. SMITH” is in lunate device beneath and in front of tumbler pivot. Blued trigger guard has had engraving removed from bow, and has SN at grip. Nicely marbled, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-1/4″ over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Borderless checkering at grip is of convoluted design on rear margin, and has fleur-di-lis ribbon intrusions into pattern as drop points. Each bbl set has its own dedicated ejector forend, the one for 28″ bbls stamped “2” on interior of iron, both of which are nicely scroll engraved, and have 1901 ejector patent. Checkering pattern on both forends is of near full coverage with many ribbons through the pattern. There are contrasting wood tips, and releases are of typical J-spring and knurled button type, both in guitar shaped engraved escutcheons. 28″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.735, right – .735. Bore restrictions: left – .006 (IC), right – .000 (cyl). Wall thickness: left – .022, right – .023. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-11/16″. Cast: approx 3/8″ off. Weight: 7 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 13-1/4″. 30″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.734, right – .729. Bore restrictions: left – .048 (extra full), right – .040 (full). Wall thickness: left – .026, right – .023. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-13/16″. Cast: approx 3/8″ off. Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 13-1/4″. Gun is accompanied by an old Abercrombie & Fitch Leg o’ mutton case with space for action and two bbls. PROVENANCE: L.C. Smith Collector Letter, Griffin & Howe A&F Letter, and copy of orig ledger. CONDITION: Very Good as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all old re-blacks, engraving considerably softened, and over many light marks and scratches. Action retains a considerable amount perhaps as much as 20% orig case hardening color, mostly where protected by fences, balance is a very pleasing pewter gray. This color also describes the lockplates. Engraving remains very clear. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish over a number of light marks, with subsequent wear through. Checkering on forend for 28″ bbls is worn smooth at right bottom; remains good on forend for 30″ bbls and buttstock where it appears to have been re-cut. Bores are excellent with both sets, bright and shiny throughout, with some leading present. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger appears to work well, but selector is stuck in right bbl first position. Case leather is good but hinges and handle are detached. Straps are broken. A neat old, as found, L. C. Smith, of the highest grade made at the time. Houchins pictures an A3 on the cover of his book “L C SMITH THE LEGEND LIVES”. Another similar to this gun is on the dust jacket of L. C. SMITH SHOTGUNS by Brophy. 50540-1 MGM66 (35,000-55,000) C&R – Lot 3501 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2016 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 RARE (18 MADE) L.C. SMITH A-3 PIGEON GUN WITH EXTRA OPEN CHOKE BARRELS.