*UNIQUE 16 GAUGE L.C. SMITH EXHIBITION GUN.

SN 18150. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. Factory records indicate that this unusual gun started life as an “Ideal” grade and was shipped to Marlin Firearms Company. It appears from examination and research that it was made as a sales sample for exhibition to show custom work that could be done at customer request for high grade L. C. Smiths. The 28″ bbls with raised, flat, single sighting plane rib, are stamped “L.C. SMITH – 16 GA Ideal – FULTON, N.Y. U.S.A.” on top of right bbl. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN and “C” (corresponding to “Crown” grade, which the embellishment on this gun most closely resembles). Bottoms of bbls are stamped “LONDON STEEL”. Small, featherweight action is engraved with SN and “C” on water table, and features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid), and Hunter single selective trigger. What sets this action apart from a normal “Crown” grade is the finely filed bead around fences running over the top of action (only found on “Deluxe” grade guns). Engraving is typical “Crown” grade, in style, consisting of nicely cut medium scroll within geometric borders, highlighting rose and floral sprays and bouquets, surrounding oval vignettes of game scenes on each lockplate. (These scenes are not the usual ones found on most “Crown” grades.) A pair of setters, one retrieving a downed bird, is on left plate, and a flock of ducks flying over marsh, on right. A gold crown is inlaid on top lever pivot. Blued trigger guard is engraved with sprigs of scroll, and has SN at grip. Beautifully feather crotch figured American walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over serrated composition buttplate. Checkering most closely resembles that found on “Premier” grade guns, with fancy outline and ribbons through pattern. Splinter ejector forend is checkered to match buttstock, has inset dark wood tip, and typical J-spring release with knurled secondary latch in oval steel escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.664, right -.662. Bore restrictions: left -.004 (skeet), right -.022 (Mod). Minimum wall thickness: left -.038, right -.039. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory letter stating it was shipped Feb 18, 1949, and was Marlin Firearms Expo gun. This gun was the subject of an article in the “Double Gun Journal” Spring 2011 entitled “A Salesman’s Sample” by Tom Archer with considerable discussion about the provenance of this gun, etc. Letter regarding this guns history and being owned by the Wadsworth family for 60 years. CONDITION: Excellent, with little evidence of having been fired, but with considerable light handling marks and fading, as one would expect from a showroom example. Bbls are slightly faded around forend. Case hardening silvered slightly around bottom of action. Finish of forend is somewhat worn. A crack has been repaired at toe, with some oil added. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. 4-53764 MGM265 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2389

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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
	2389	$43,125.00	UNIQUE 16 GAUGE L.C. SMITH EXHIBITION GUN. SN 18150. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. Factory records indicate that this unusual gun started life as an “Ideal” grade and was shipped to Marlin Firearms Company. It appears from examination and research that it was made as a sales sample for exhibition to show custom work that could be done at customer request for high grade L. C. Smiths. The 28″ bbls with raised, flat, single sighting plane rib, are stamped “L.C. SMITH – 16 GA Ideal* – FULTON, N.Y. U.S.A.” on top of right bbl. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN and “C” (corresponding to “Crown” grade, which the embellishment on this gun most closely resembles). Bottoms of bbls are stamped “LONDON STEEL”. Small, featherweight action is engraved with SN and “C” on water table, and features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid), and Hunter single selective trigger. What sets this action apart from a normal “Crown” grade is the finely filed bead around fences running over the top of action (only found on “Deluxe” grade guns). Engraving is typical “Crown” grade, in style, consisting of nicely cut medium scroll within geometric borders, highlighting rose and floral sprays and bouquets, surrounding oval vignettes of game scenes on each lockplate. (These scenes are not the usual ones found on most “Crown” grades.) A pair of setters, one retrieving a downed bird, is on left plate, and a flock of ducks flying over marsh, on right. A gold crown is inlaid on top lever pivot. Blued trigger guard is engraved with sprigs of scroll, and has SN at grip. Beautifully feather crotch figured American walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over serrated composition buttplate. Checkering most closely resembles that found on “Premier” grade guns, with fancy outline and ribbons through pattern. Splinter ejector forend is checkered to match buttstock, has inset dark wood tip, and typical J-spring release with knurled secondary latch in oval steel escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.664, right -.662. Bore restrictions: left -.004 (skeet), right -.022 (Mod). Minimum wall thickness: left -.038, right -.039. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Factory letter stating it was shipped Feb 18, 1949, and was Marlin Firearms Expo gun. This gun was the subject of an article in the “Double Gun Journal” Spring 2011 entitled “A Salesman’s Sample” by Tom Archer with considerable discussion about the provenance of this gun, etc. Letter regarding this guns history and being owned by the Wadsworth family for 60 years. CONDITION: Excellent, with little evidence of having been fired, but with considerable light handling marks and fading, as one would expect from a showroom example. Bbls are slightly faded around forend. Case hardening silvered slightly around bottom of action. Finish of forend is somewhat worn. A crack has been repaired at toe, with some oil added. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. 4-53764 MGM265 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2389 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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*UNIQUE 16 GAUGE L.C. SMITH EXHIBITION GUN.