2155A UNUSUAL HIGH CONDITION SPECIAL ORDER L. C. SMITH

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 9,000.00 USD
Estimated at 18,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
CROWN GRADE SXS SHOTGUN. Cal. 20 Ga. S# 26603. Bbl. 28" with single sighting plane rib having a gold bar forward of the engraved rib extension. Right bbl. engraved "L. C. SMITH CROWN GRADE". Left bbl. engraved "L. C. Smith Gun Co. Inc. Fulton, N. Y." White front & mid beads. Case colored Featherweight sidelock action. Selective ejectors. Hunter One single selective trigger. Crown grade engraving per order features Partridge on the right sideplate with quail on the left. Standard engraving has setters & pointers. The trigger guard bow features a special order raised gold pointing setter. The trigger plate depicts 4 flying ducks. Balance of action has fine arabesque scroll engraving with floral & geometric designs. The top lever engraving is very unusual as it lacks the typical gold crown. Beavertail forend and straight grip stock of exhibition thin shell walnut feature elaborate borderless segmented hand checkering. LOP: 13 3/4" from single trigger to checkered butt. DAC: 1 5/8". DAH: 2 1/4". Stock has a slight cast off. Bore dia; RT .610, LT Choke constriction: RT .013, LT .004, (uncommon reserved chokes). Minimum wall thickness: RT .038, LT .041. Weight: 6 lbs. 11.4 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: L. C. Smith collectors Association Letter giving general information about L. C. Smith shotguns and listing specification for this gun. Record shows it was started on November 26, 1947 and completed January 20, 1948. The shipping address is nearly illegible but may be "Burbank Hardware Company", no address provided. The fact that the word "Monogram" was written next to "Crown" in the ledger and crossed out indicates confusion as to the grade. A total of 862 Crown grades were mfg. 1912-1950. "Only six of these were the same configuration as # 26603, and it is likely that no others were engraved in a similar pattern". Also included is a Cody Firearms Museum Records check confirming the information and adding a ship date of 5-6-1948. The gun is housed in an oak & leather luggage case with green velour fitted interior. The inside lid has a reproduction L. C. Smith paper label. Case contains a 2 piece wood cleaning rod & snap caps. CONDITION: the action retains over 40% lightly faded case colors. Over 95% lightly faded bbl. blue. Very good wood finish shows some scratches, small marks & mildew spots. Very good bright bores. (23-4780/DS). CURIO. $18,000-24,000.