Hello,

I was at a gun show on Saturday and saw a LC Smith that I am interested in.

It has engraved quail in a circle on the left sideplate and a woodcock in a circle on the right sideplate.

It is a 12gauge with 30" barrels. On the top of the barrels, on the rib read "Hunters arms Co. Fulton NY.

There is 50% of the case color still on the action.

IT didn't have any pad on the stock (I'm not sure of what type of plate it was). The stock was beautiful black walnut.

What would be the value of such a gun? The dealer wanted $900.

Thanks for any information,

ddj

That is a grade 3 LC. Price would depend on condition but it sounds like it is well worth the $900. Are the barrels in good shape inside and out? There were about 4,000 "3's" made and over almost half of them had auto ejectors and that increases the value also. Single trigger? The hunter one trigger jumps the value up quite a bit (>$600 just for that feature).

Thanks for your help!

It had double triggers and ejectors.

Most people are telling me it is a pre 1913 grade 2. The engravings of the quail and woodcock are inside of circles.

I am not sure the forend is original. It has a half moon or a rolling silver knob that is used to remove the forend.

I need to decide if it is worth $900 or if I need it.

Thanks Again,

ddj

I have a model 2, it has a duck on one side and a quail on the other. The model 3 has the quail and a woodcock.

Buy it!

Thanks to all,

The barrels are not damascus and are in fine shape.

I am having a hard time deciding what grade of gun this is.

Is there a way to tighten the forend. It seems to be a little loose.

I have a couple poor pictures on my phone, I may have to see if i can take some more.

Thanks Again,

ddj

ddj,
If the animals are in circles, it is more likely it is a model 2. Sorry about that, I was going by the woodcock which was a standard animal on the model 3. The following is from the LC smith web site ( www.lcsmith.org - then go to shotguns and then grades). Most often the model 3 had ovals around the engraving.

"The No. 2 grade was nicely finished and engraved. This is interesting because it was advertised as a "knockout" grade and was said to be "just the kind for rough usage." It usually had ducks engraved in a circle on the right lock plate and a quail in a circle on the left. Some variations have been noted. On at least two 8 gauge guns, a woodcock has been engraved in place of the ducks. It is unlikely that many hunters sought either woodcock or quail with an 8 gauge. "

Thank you,

That is what I also had researched. Do you know where there are alot of grade 2 pictures? I am wondering if the gun is original. I also need to check if the barrels are crown steel.

Any idea of a value for a gun like this?

Thanks Again,

ddj

THe best way to determine exactly what is what is to contact the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, WY. They have the complete LC Smith records.

You should join the organization as it is a worthwhile cause and this entitles you to free records searches on Marlins & Winchesters as well..

I use them all of the time,

JW

Thats a good idea. I was hoping to get a quick answer so I would know if to buy it or not.

Thanks

ddj

Once you give them your C-card info you will be instantly activated into their system and will be able to access records during the same call..

JW