*HIGH CONDITION EARLY MONOGRAM GRADE L. C. SMITH.

SN 201787. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Bbls with matted rib and fine floral and scroll engraving on extension, are engraved “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co. FULTON, N.Y.” on tops. There are 2-1/2″ triangles of simple scroll at breech ends and 1″ triangles at muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN. Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks are stamped on bottoms of bbls. Loop is engraved “M E” (Monogram Ejector ?). Standard weight action features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid) and double triggers, and is engraved in pre 1905 style with extensive scroll engraving with geometric borders, as background to oval vignettes of dogs with birds engraved at front of lockplates; a pair of setters on left lockplate pointing grouse at front, and another setter is retrieving a grouse toward front of action. Left lockplate portrays a pair of pointers pointing swimming duck at front. Action features another pointing pointer. Top of action is engraved with scrolled oak leaves. A bouquet of roses is on bottom. Blued trigger guard has rose bouquet on bow, and SN at grip. Unusual. dark veined, and lightly burl figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14″ over ribbed composition buttplate. Borderless fleur-di-lis checkering at about 36 LPI is at grip, with fleur-di-lis ribbon through pattern. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has inlet triangular ebony tip, and guitar shaped secondary release escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.728, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (Extra full), right -.042 (Extra full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.032, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14″. This gun is pictured on pp. 144, 145, 147, 148 in L. C. SMITH; THE LEGEND LIVES by Houchins. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of John Houchins. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain approx 95% what appears to be their orig blue, thinning slightly at breech ends, and muzzles, with a few light marks. Action and lockplates retain approx 95% of their orig muted color hardening, thinning slightly on bottom, and silvering a bit on fences and rear of top tang. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a correctly colored re-blue. Stocks retain most of their orig finish, butt area somewhat lighter in color. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. A fine high grade L. C. Smith, with 131 being made in this grade between 1892 and 1918. How many with this early and pleasing engraving style ? 4-50877 MGM164 (27,500-47,500) – Lot 3462

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
	3462	$34,500.00	HIGH CONDITION EARLY MONOGRAM GRADE L. C. SMITH. SN 201787. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Bbls with matted rib and fine floral and scroll engraving on extension, are engraved “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co. FULTON, N.Y.” on tops. There are 2-1/2″ triangles of simple scroll at breech ends and 1″ triangles at muzzles. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN. Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks are stamped on bottoms of bbls. Loop is engraved “M E” (Monogram Ejector ?). Standard weight action features non-automatic safety (S gold inlaid) and double triggers, and is engraved in pre 1905 style with extensive scroll engraving with geometric borders, as background to oval vignettes of dogs with birds engraved at front of lockplates; a pair of setters on left lockplate pointing grouse at front, and another setter is retrieving a grouse toward front of action. Left lockplate portrays a pair of pointers pointing swimming duck at front. Action features another pointing pointer. Top of action is engraved with scrolled oak leaves. A bouquet of roses is on bottom. Blued trigger guard has rose bouquet on bow, and SN at grip. Unusual. dark veined, and lightly burl figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14″ over ribbed composition buttplate. Borderless fleur-di-lis checkering at about 36 LPI is at grip, with fleur-di-lis ribbon through pattern. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has inlet triangular ebony tip, and guitar shaped secondary release escutcheon. Bore diameter: left-.728, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (Extra full), right -.042 (Extra full). Minimum wall thickness: left -.032, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14″. This gun is pictured on pp. 144, 145, 147, 148 in L. C. SMITH; THE LEGEND LIVES by Houchins. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of John Houchins. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain approx 95% what appears to be their orig blue, thinning slightly at breech ends, and muzzles, with a few light marks. Action and lockplates retain approx 95% of their orig muted color hardening, thinning slightly on bottom, and silvering a bit on fences and rear of top tang. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a correctly colored re-blue. Stocks retain most of their orig finish, butt area somewhat lighter in color. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. A fine high grade L. C. Smith, with 131 being made in this grade between 1892 and 1918. How many with this early and pleasing engraving style ? 4-50877 MGM164 (27,500-47,500) – Lot 3462 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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*HIGH CONDITION EARLY MONOGRAM GRADE L. C. SMITH.