Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
FRESH TO MARKET A2 L.C. SMITH TRANSITIONAL BETWEEN TYPE 1 & TYPE 2
01-24214
Cal. 12 Ga. 2 3/4″
S# 1135
Shipped on Feb. 22, 1896, very shortly after the A3 became the highest grade L. C. Smith gun offered. This gun has some early styling with later type embellishment. The 30″ barrels with broad matted rib are engraved “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE EXPRESSLY TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. FULTON N.Y.” on tops. Engine turned barrel flats are stamped with S# and Hunter proofs. Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks are on bottoms of barrels. Splinter is stamped “A2”. There are 1-1/2″ triangles of fine scroll engraving at breech ends and at muzzles. Regular frame case hardened action with Syracuse style flutes on bottom has S# and patent info stamped on watertable and features automatic three position safety (with button in rear position gun can be fired at any time), early type bushed strikers and double triggers. Ejector is of first variation with S# and patent stamped on iron. Action is filed with double beads around fences and lockplates are not rebated. Internal inspection shows fancy filed engine turned bridles and “A2” is stamped on front portion of left lock.
Engraving is of A2 second variation with near full coverage well cut small scroll within geometric borders. Acents of dogs heads are on both sides at front. “L. C. Smith” is on small scroll banner on each lockplate. Top of action is engraved with small scroll with rose bouquet highlights in contrast with the later oak leave theme. All engraving is very delicately cut in comparison with later guns.
Blued trigger guard with S# engraved on tang has the monogram “JSL” (James Stuart Lowry) inlaid in gold on bow. (Factory records indicate gun originally purchased by A. C. Chase.) Buttstock with syma curve termination to pistol grip is of very nicely marbled and figured European walnut and measures 14-3/8″ over serated buttplate. Closely spaced fleu-de-lis pattern checkering runs over the top of diamond grip and there is no crest plate on toeline because gold monogram is on trigger guard bow. Matching splinter type 1 ejector forend with inlet ebony tip is near fully checkered and has narrow fleur-de-lis ribbons through pattern. Forend has usual “J” spring release with secondary lock in round escutcheon.
MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .724. R .726. Restriction: L .028 (IMod). R .000 (Cyl). Wall thickness: L .029. R .027. STOCK: DAH: 2 7/8″. DAC: 1 3/4″. CAST: approx. 1/2″ off. LOP: 14 3/8″. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 15 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Cody Firearms Records Office letter confirming shipping date, dimensions and original purchaser.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
