Value of an old L.C. Smith

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k e roberts

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Vancouver Island, B.C.
I'd be grateful for some help from anyone familiar with Smith shotguns. I inherited my grandfather's shotgun. It has been unfired for past two generations and appears to be in excellent shape. I need some info about it before I can post it for sale or trade it off. The only things I can determine are; 12 ga. side by side. Ser. no.13877 (FWS stamped by ser. no.) Mod. Field grade. Barrel length is 30". Choke or shell size unmarked.
The bores are mirror bright. There are some blemishes on the bluing near the muzzles and the blue seems to be shading towards brown a little near the receiver. The coloring (case?) of the receiver is still obvious. The stock and [URL=http://s42.photobucket.com/user/rob2107/media/IMG_2580_zpsc1f84c27.jpg.html]





IMG_2614_zps6aea3805.jpg
[/URL]forearm are unmarked and were kept up with hand rubbed oil. Do I need to take it to an insurance appraiser? Gun shows? Would like to see it go to someone who would value it. Thanks/rob2107/IMG_2580_zpsc1f84c27.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
 
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You will get a realistic value for it if you can post some good photos on here. Condition being very important as far as value goes, yours sounds like it may be in better shape than most seen. Most insurance appraisers know next to nothing about gun values apart what they might find in a reference book. There are a few guys on here who are pretty sharp on L.C. Smith guns.
 
SMITH, L. C.
Syracuse, New York
Hunter Arms Company
Fulton, New York
One of the finest American-made double-barrel shotguns and
very collectible in today’s market. It was manufactured be-
tween 1880 and 1888 in Syracuse, New York; and between
1890 and 1945, in Fulton, New York, by the Hunter Arms
Company. In 1945 Marlin Firearms Company acquired Hunter
Arms, and the L.C. Smith was made until 1951. In 1968 the
L.C. Smith was resurrected for five years, and production
ceased totally in 1973. The values given are approximate for
standard production models; and we strongly feel that compe-
tent, individual appraisals should be secured, especially on
the rarer and higher grade models, if a transaction is contem-
plated.
The values given are for fluid steel, hammerless guns only.
Damascus-barreled guns have become collectible if they are in
very good or better condition, and values are approximately
the same as for the fluid steel models. Damascus guns in less
than good condition are worth considerably less.
Early Hammerless Shotguns
The models listed were manufactured between 1890 and
1913. They are chambered for 10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge and
were produced with various barrel lengths and choke combina-
tions. They feature full sidelock actions. The difference in the
models and their values is based on the degree of ornamenta-
tion and the quality of materials and workmanship utilized in
their construction. The general values furnished are for 10, 12
or 16 gauge guns only.
NOTE: 20 gauge add 50 percent. A premium for 25 percent for
10 gauge and 16 gauge guns should be added. Single-selec-
tive trigger add $250. Automatic ejectors add 30 percent.
00 Grade
60,000 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
1650 14000 1100 650 400
0 Grade
30,000 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
1750 1500 1100 700 450
No. 1 Grade
10,000 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
2750 2200 1650 800 550
No. 2 Grade
13,000 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
3300 2500 1325 900 700
No. 3 Grade
4,000 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
3850 3000 1975 1000 750
Pigeon Grade
1,200 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
3850 3000 1980 1000 750
No. 4 Grade
500 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
11000 8250 5500 3000 2000
A-1 Grade
700 manufactured, all damascus, No 20 gauge.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
5500 3850 2750 1750 1000
No. 5 Grade
500 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
9350 7700 5500 3250 2000
Monogram Grade
100 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
12100 9350 6600 3750 2500
A-2 Grade
200 manufactured.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
16500 11000 8250 4500 3750
A-3 Grade
20 manufactured.
This is too rare to generalize a value.
Later Production Hammerless Shotguns
These were manufactured at Fulton, New York, between 1914
and 1951. They are side-by-side double-barrel shotguns
chambered for 12, 16, and 20 gauge, as well as the .410. They
are offered with various barrel lengths and choke combina-
tions. They feature a full sidelock action and are available with
double or single triggers, extractors, and automatic ejectors.
The finishes are blued and case colored, with checkered wal-
nut stocks that are of either straight, semi-pistolgrip, or pistol-
grip configurations. The various models differ as to the degree
of ornamentation and the quality of materials and workmanship
utilized in their construction. These are highly collectible Amer-
ican shotguns. Because these guns were manufactured as late
as 1951, mint original specimens and even unfired new in the
box guns will be offered for sale occasionally. These guns are
worth considerably more than excellent condition guns and
more than ever an individual, expert authentication and ap-
praisal is recommended if a transaction is anticipated.
NOTE: The values supplied are for 12 gauge models only. For
16 gauge add 25 percent premium. For 20 gauge add 50 per-
cent premium. For .410 bore add 200 percent premium (field
grade), 300 percent to 400 percent for higher grades. Single-
selective triggers add $250 premium. For automatic ejectors
add 30 percent premium.
Courtesy Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Field Grade
L.C. Smith 12 gauge and .410 bore Field Grade
Courtesy William Hammond
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
1400 1100 825 500 350
WJH-1-11
 
Yes, we will need some pics to know exactly what you have. An insurance appraisal is just that, an value for insurance purposes. It means nothing in the real world of selling. However, if your gun is a basic field grade model, it might be worth a bit more than an average condition gun but it will not be a high value. I sold one last year that was in pretty darn nice original condition. It took me 2 months and I finally got $550.00 for it at the time. There is a higher graded model for sale right now at I think $1200.00. It's been listed for about 3 weeks and has not sold. So, we need to see pics to know exactly what grade of gun you have as it can make a difference.

Edit--To realize any of the prices in the above post, you would likely have to sell the gun in the US, not Canada. Prices are lower here on vintage guns.
 
Boy is she sweet.

Here's a tip for you kero berts......once you paste the link,
hit the enter bar a couple times.
Puts the photos in order and leaves a neat white space in between
the photos.

Keep the finger prints well oiled on this gal.

Where's Catt when you need him.............?

Hayya Catt, you miss'n out.
 
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letting go of the Smith

appreciate your concern. thanks again for the info. poor health forcing me to part with firearms. doc says i'll end up feeding the coyotes if i don't back off. would be a nice cheap funeral tho. regards
 
It's pretty much the exact same gun and condition as the one I sold last year. As mentioned, I could only get $550.00 for it at the time in Canada. Hopefully you can get a bit more but you might have a bit of a wait.
 
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