"The Gun That Speaks for Itself"

 
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
   by Dr. Drew Hause

 

How many frame sizes were used on L.C. Smith guns?

The 1884 L.C. Smith Maker, Syracuse catalog stated that the Top-Action Double Cross-Bolted Breech-Loading Double Barrel "Bar Action" Hammer Gun was offered in Medium, Heavy, and Extra Heavy weight, each with different size frames. The "New L.C. Smith Hammerless Gun" was also available with three frames when introduced in 1886, and was available in weights from 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 pounds in 12 gauge.
 
An 1886 L.C. Smith, Maker magazine advertisement stated "Extra Heavy Broad Breech Ducking Guns (Are) a Specialty".
 
Advertisements and Hunter Arms catalogs until 1897 included the statement that there would be "No Extra Charge for Heavy or Extra Heavy Gun", but no mention of Heavy or Extra Heavy guns was made in the L.C. Smith listing in the 1897 Chas. Godfrey, N.Y. catalog.
 
After about 1898, one standard Regular (R) frame was used for 12 gauge guns and another for 16 gauge guns.
 
The Featherweight (FW) frame was introduced with the 20 gauge gun in 1907 (SN 1104 completed December 4, 1907), and was produced in two sizes: 12 gauge and 16/20 gauge. It has not been confirmed if 20 gauge guns were ever built on Regular frames.
 
Post-1913 Field Grade guns were built on both Regular and Featherweight frames until about 1920, after which most were FW.
Only six experimental “C” frame guns were produced, all in 1929.
The Long Range Wild Fowl guns were made using the Regular frame.
 
The engineering drawings may be found on this website and on page 372 of John Houchins' L.C. Smith "The Legend Lives."
 

 

 



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L.C. Smith Collectors Association 2015

Updated 02/18/2015