EXCEPTIONALLY RARE HIGH CONDITION GRADE 5 L.C. SMITH-BAKER PATENT DRILLING.

SN 1497. Cal. 10 ga x 10 ga x 44 WCF. The highest grade listed in the early catalogs, this grade has no extant examples illustrated or described in either L. C. SMITH SHOTGUNS by Brophy or in L. C. SMITH: THE LEGEND LIVES by Houchins. This fine orig condition specimen has 30″ fine Damascus bbls engraved “L. C. Smith Maker Syracuse N.Y. DAMASCUS STEEL” on broad concave game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and bottom breech portion of rifle bbl with grade. Case hardened boxlock type action of second style, using forward pressure on front trigger to open action, and with knurled selector for rifle bbl in front of trigger, features flat faced serpentine rebounding hammers, and has a windage adjustable folding sight dovetailed through tang. Water table is stamped with 1877 patent date, SN, and “5” in well. Action is engraved with geometric borders and well cut sprays of various sized scroll as counterpoint to exceptionally well cut and detailed oval scenes of gun dogs; a pointer and setter in meadow with split rail fence in background on left, and a pair of spaniels leaping joyously as a dead snipe, feathers drifting on the wind, falls into a marsh on right. A spaniel retrieves a duck on trigger guard bow. “L.C. Smith” is engraved in banknote script on each side of action. Lightly marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14″ over thick checkered composition buttplate. Matching splinter forend with heavy schnabeled steel tip attaches to bbls with side nail through engraved oval steel escutcheons. Bore diameter: left-.789, right -.786. Bore restrictions: left -.035 (full), right -.035 (full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.040, right -.032. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-7/8″. Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14″. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. Letter from Brophy stating that there are no records for 3-bbl Baker guns, and that he’d only ever seen one Grade 5 (possibly this one?). Consignors notes. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain approx 70% orig strong Damascus pattern, thinning and silvering from normal hand wear around forend, with a number of light marks and a few a bit heavier, midway down left bbl onto rifle bbl. Action retains 65 – 75% orig case hardening color, vivid where protected, thinning and silvering on bottom, beads, and fences. Stocks retain most of their orig finish, grain raised, dry, and with numerous minor marks and scratches, and some fairly deep dents on toe line, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent with some slight frosting. Rifle bore has some light pits toward breech end. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Tang sight is from another L. C. Smith drilling, per information sheet from consignor. (It does not match this gun’s condition.) Undoubtedly one of the highest condition, top grade, L.C. Smith/Baker drillings in existence. 4-53906 MGM130 (12,000-20,000) – Lot 2384

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 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
	2384	$13,800.00	EXCEPTIONALLY RARE HIGH CONDITION GRADE 5 L.C. SMITH-BAKER PATENT DRILLING. SN 1497. Cal. 10 ga x 10 ga x 44 WCF. The highest grade listed in the early catalogs, this grade has no extant examples illustrated or described in either L. C. SMITH SHOTGUNS by Brophy or in L. C. SMITH: THE LEGEND LIVES by Houchins. This fine orig condition specimen has 30″ fine Damascus bbls engraved “L. C. Smith Maker Syracuse N.Y. DAMASCUS STEEL” on broad concave game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and bottom breech portion of rifle bbl with grade. Case hardened boxlock type action of second style, using forward pressure on front trigger to open action, and with knurled selector for rifle bbl in front of trigger, features flat faced serpentine rebounding hammers, and has a windage adjustable folding sight dovetailed through tang. Water table is stamped with 1877 patent date, SN, and “5” in well. Action is engraved with geometric borders and well cut sprays of various sized scroll as counterpoint to exceptionally well cut and detailed oval scenes of gun dogs; a pointer and setter in meadow with split rail fence in background on left, and a pair of spaniels leaping joyously as a dead snipe, feathers drifting on the wind, falls into a marsh on right. A spaniel retrieves a duck on trigger guard bow. “L.C. Smith” is engraved in banknote script on each side of action. Lightly marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14″ over thick checkered composition buttplate. Matching splinter forend with heavy schnabeled steel tip attaches to bbls with side nail through engraved oval steel escutcheons. Bore diameter: left-.789, right -.786. Bore restrictions: left -.035 (full), right -.035 (full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.040, right -.032. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-7/8″. Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 14″. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. Letter from Brophy stating that there are no records for 3-bbl Baker guns, and that he’d only ever seen one Grade 5 (possibly this one?). Consignors notes. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain approx 70% orig strong Damascus pattern, thinning and silvering from normal hand wear around forend, with a number of light marks and a few a bit heavier, midway down left bbl onto rifle bbl. Action retains 65 – 75% orig case hardening color, vivid where protected, thinning and silvering on bottom, beads, and fences. Stocks retain most of their orig finish, grain raised, dry, and with numerous minor marks and scratches, and some fairly deep dents on toe line, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent with some slight frosting. Rifle bore has some light pits toward breech end. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Tang sight is from another L. C. Smith drilling, per information sheet from consignor. (It does not match this gun’s condition.) Undoubtedly one of the highest condition, top grade, L.C. Smith/Baker drillings in existence. 4-53906 MGM130 (12,000-20,000) – Lot 2384 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 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 RARE HIGH CONDITION GRADE 5 L.C. SMITH-BAKER PATENT DRILLING.