LC Smith SxS 12ga, Trap Grade

[bearhunter]

This is another I need a value thread.

The shotgun is a SxS 12ga, Trap Grade, LC Smith.

93000 serial number range, puts it in late 1926 as year of manufacture.

32in bbls, ventilated rib with double beads.

Auto ejectors.

Hunter One trigger.

Hunter Arms Company Inc.
M'FR'S Fulton NI

From what I can find out, there were 3209 Trap models made between 1913 and 1950.

Everything on the rifle is original except the butt stock, which was professionally done by a very talented stock maker.

The shotgun is in at least 85% condition as far as finish goes and very tight. The bore is perfect. The gun has seen very little use.

#33 Blue Book values run from $600 in 10% condition to $3000 in excellent condition.

If someone would like to look at some pics to assess value, please PM me with your email address and I will gladly send you about a dozen from a small montage I have taken.

The shotgun is part of an estate and will be up for sale, when I can find a decent ballpark figure to work with.

bearhunter, Thanks in advance.

 

[gunsaholic]

85% condition, replaced stock---about $1500.00 give or take in this country.

 

[straightshooter]

I agree with gunsaholic's valuation, but I would add that $1500 would sell only to the right collector. In other words, you need to advertise it on multiple sites and wait for the right collector to find it.

One of the biggest issues with selling any gun, but especially a collector's item, is the patience to find the right buyer. Hundreds, if not thousands, of threads on this board have dealt with pricing guns correctly to sell. I can't remember all the times I've been told my prices are too high and the gun will not sell, only to get my price to the penny. It's all about finding buyers who have an appreciation for and want the item you have. Bargain hunters are a different breed and shouldn't be your target market.

Case in point. You post your LC on this board for $500 - you will generate substantial interest and it sells in about a week. Alternately, you post the same gun on the same forum, except the price is $1500 - it could take 6 months to a year to sell, but you'll get your $1500.

I'm an avid collector of early 20th century shotguns. I know for certain that selling a collector's item is fundamentally different than selling a contemporary piece. The biggest difference is that they aren't making any more vintage guns (actually they are, but have you seen the prices!!).

 

[bearhunter]

Thanks for taking the time for such informative replies.

I agree with your assessments of the value.

I will adveritse the gun on a US site as well as CGN. It doesn't have to move overnight by any means.

I would love to try it out, just to see why it was considered to be one of the best of breed for value. The LC Smiths were never cheap, considering the prices for the years they were built. Had to be a good reason for that.

 

[Mark Dube]

Please throw a few photos in here for us.

It's getting more and more difficult to sell a collectible gun into the US. Importers now need to "permanently mark" all firearms they import. This destroys collector value & makes less sense incurring extra cost importing a gun & having it devalued by importer's marks.

There is a good market here in Canada for quality sxs's but value is somewhat less than in US.

M

 

[gunsaholic]

I totally agree with straightshooter and Mark. You have to find the right buyer wanting this type of gun. There are all kinds who will buy it for $500.00 but you have to hold out for the person who truly wants a vintage gun and not just looking for a bargain. And as Mark says, you really need to figure if it's worth trying to sell into the US. There is a larger market down there but there would have to be a significant price difference to make it worth while (in my opinion).

 

[bearhunter]

Please throw a few photos in here for us.

It's getting more and more difficult to sell a collectible gun into the US. Importers now need to "permanently mark" all firearms they import. This destroys collector value & makes less sense incurring extra cost importing a gun & having it devalued by importer's marks.

There is a good market here in Canada for quality sxs's but value is somewhat less than in US.

M

I would be happy to send you some pics if you PM your email address.

I am computer challenged and never have been successful posting pics. There are some that will do it for me but I hate to impose on them.

 

[beretta boy]

In the condition you describe, $ 1500 may not be out of line at all for someone who is looking for a good double to shoot some Sporting and 5-Stand with ... the odd round of Trap or maybe even for the guy who likes to shoot pheasants/sharptails with a full choke. A few of us nutbars also like to hunt waterfowl with vintage doubles and non-toxic loads like Kent Impact.


Not so sure of it's "collector" value with a replacement stock.

The fact that it's a 32" vent rib with the (excellent) Hunter single trigger certainly suggests it would lend itself well to being a "shooter".

 

[catnthehatt]

I would certainly pay $1500 for a trap grade Elsie with a replaced stock- not for a collector, but a shooter.
Cat

 

[Mark Dube]

Here are Bearhunter's pics:

 

[gunsaholic]

Sure too bad it didn't have the original stock. But, still a nice shooter.

 

[HUNTERROD]

Nice gun, not sure Elsie's ever had the checkered but plate
As far as a value, I'd put 1200$ on it being re stocked
If it had a correct replacement from Dixie gun works that's
Time period correct, the gun could see 1500$, the states
Puts big$ value on them due to they were built there.
Look at Parker's, there values vary greatly, could be a 500$
Shooter to a 50,000$ a1 special, who knows, it's a matter
Of who's shooting it and what they want to do with it
Non toxic shot for that gun is gonna run expensive
As far as skeet shooting , guys are buying cheaper,
And easier to repair guns, if parts let go in the Elsie
Have fun finding them, and pay premium prices
I like this gun personally, but 1500$ seems high
I had an Ithaca flues once re stocked by Garth butcher
It killed value, I sold it for 600$ and that was in mint
Cond

 

[beretta boy]

From the photos, I see the gun as a likely candidate for complete restocking and refurbishing as a shooter.
Collector value ... just not there.
Not much case colour left, in need of barrels being reblacked. Virtually every screw head has been jiggered.
Still, a 32" vent-rib gun, full & full with the Hunter One Trigger, not an every day find. I'd like $ 1000 - $ 1250
much more than I would a higher number - and would likely need double that amount for a full refurb.
Yeah, non-toxic waterfowl loads are pricey, but what the hell - it's not a high volume dove shoot !
Certainly not a Skeet gun with that barrel/choke combo.

 

[gunsaholic]

Yes, after seeing the pics I think $1500.00 will be a stretch in this country. As mentioned, it no longer has collector status. And people who are into these vintage guns knows what it costs to have guns restored and stockwork done. If someone just wants a vintage shooter to use the way it is (small market in Canada), then it might bring $1200.00. For anyone wanting to sink money into it, $1200.00 will be a stretch. Of course this is my opinion. The real value will be the final selling price which one will not know until it's listed for sale.

 

[HUNTERROD]

I agree , it's like my iver Johnson Hercules I have 100%
Original, purchased by my great grandad in 1921, he paid 32$
For it, 32" 2 3/4" fluid barrels, full and mod, it's a flawless gun
Had collector look at it, he said 1000$ gun all day long
BUT TRY AND GET 1000$ for it, to me it's priceless
But I've saw them in nice shape on here for 6-800$