*ONE OF A KIND L C SMITH 16 GAUGE EXHIBITION GRADE SHOTGUN.

*ONE OF A KIND L C SMITH 16 GAUGE EXHIBITION GRADE SHOTGUN. SN FWE18150. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 28″ Barrels. Factory records indicate that this fine shotgun was originally produced as an “Ideal” grade, finished on August 4, 1947, and shipped to Bushnell & Wilson, returned to inventory Jan. 1, 1949, and delivered to Marlin on Feb. 18, 1949. The purchaser column in records is notated “Exhibition”. Aside from engraving and finish, all specifications match this gun. “Bill of sale” indicates that this gun was made as a “salesman sample” for Hunter Arms, and further states that Bob Wardsworth (father-in-law of seller) “got the gun back from sales staff after the company closed in 1945-50. The gun had remained in the family for 60 years.” This gun is also subject of long article in Spring 2011 DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL by Tom Archer, entitled “A Salesman’s Sample” giving a complete history and description, as well as showing numerous photographs. Bbls with raised, matted rib and two ivory beads, 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”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “LONDON STEEL”. Case hardened action is engraved with SN and “C” on water table, and features Hunter Arms selective “One Trigger”. Action is filed with very unusual and well done continuous bead at rear of fences and around top of action. Except for this unusual treatment, remainder of embellishment is standard “Crown” grade with scroll and rose highlights, and oval vignettes of dogs or game, on each lockplate; pair of setters on left, one with retrieved bird in mouth, right showing four ducks flying over marsh, with others in distant background. A gold crown is inlaid on pivot of top lever. Spectacular crotch figured American walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-3/8″ over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Checkering is unusual with leaf extensions and beads within borderless crenelated pattern which wraps over top of grip. Matching splinter ejector forend with triangular inset ebony tip, has nearly full coverage checkering. Bore diameter: left-.665, right -.664. Bore restrictions: left -.003, right -.022. Wall thickness: left -.036, right -.037. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-3/8″. PROVENANCE: Letter from Cody Firearms Museum and another from L. C. Smith Collectors Assn with specs and what can be gleaned from the orig records concerned with this fine gun, along with orig bill of sale giving history of shotgun as known by consignor, and copy of DGJ with article. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of their orig blue. Orig case hardening color of action is slightly silvered and thinned on bottom, on fences, and on rear of lockplates, as well as thumbpiece of top lever, and rear tang, but overall is excellent. Trigger and safety button retain nearly all of their orig blue, slightly silvered. Trigger guard appears to have been re-blued, most likely by factory when it began to show wear. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with a few minor marks, dulled a bit at grip and on forend from normal handling and use. Checkering is excellent, forend checkering slightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are very slightly out of time. Trigger works. A unique and exceptionally scarce L C Smith. 4-45185 MGM265 (50,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	1130	$0.00	ONE OF A KIND L C SMITH 16 GAUGE EXHIBITION GRADE SHOTGUN. SN FWE18150. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 28″ Barrels. Factory records indicate that this fine shotgun was originally produced as an “Ideal” grade, finished on August 4, 1947, and shipped to Bushnell & Wilson, returned to inventory Jan. 1, 1949, and delivered to Marlin on Feb. 18, 1949. The purchaser column in records is notated “Exhibition”. Aside from engraving and finish, all specifications match this gun. “Bill of sale” indicates that this gun was made as a “salesman sample” for Hunter Arms, and further states that Bob Wardsworth (father-in-law of seller) “got the gun back from sales staff after the company closed in 1945-50. The gun had remained in the family for 60 years.” This gun is also subject of long article in Spring 2011 DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL by Tom Archer, entitled “A Salesman’s Sample” giving a complete history and description, as well as showing numerous photographs. Bbls with raised, matted rib and two ivory beads, 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”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “LONDON STEEL”. Case hardened action is engraved with SN and “C” on water table, and features Hunter Arms selective “One Trigger”. Action is filed with very unusual and well done continuous bead at rear of fences and around top of action. Except for this unusual treatment, remainder of embellishment is standard “Crown” grade with scroll and rose highlights, and oval vignettes of dogs or game, on each lockplate; pair of setters on left, one with retrieved bird in mouth, right showing four ducks flying over marsh, with others in distant background. A gold crown is inlaid on pivot of top lever. Spectacular crotch figured American walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-3/8″ over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Checkering is unusual with leaf extensions and beads within borderless crenelated pattern which wraps over top of grip. Matching splinter ejector forend with triangular inset ebony tip, has nearly full coverage checkering. Bore diameter: left-.665, right -.664. Bore restrictions: left -.003, right -.022. Wall thickness: left -.036, right -.037. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-3/8″. PROVENANCE: Letter from Cody Firearms Museum and another from L. C. Smith Collectors Assn with specs and what can be gleaned from the orig records concerned with this fine gun, along with orig bill of sale giving history of shotgun as known by consignor, and copy of DGJ with article. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of their orig blue. Orig case hardening color of action is slightly silvered and thinned on bottom, on fences, and on rear of lockplates, as well as thumbpiece of top lever, and rear tang, but overall is excellent. Trigger and safety button retain nearly all of their orig blue, slightly silvered. Trigger guard appears to have been re-blued, most likely by factory when it began to show wear. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with a few minor marks, dulled a bit at grip and on forend from normal handling and use. Checkering is excellent, forend checkering slightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are very slightly out of time. Trigger works. A unique and exceptionally scarce L C Smith. 4-45185 MGM265 (50,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}