L.C. Smith Grade 5 30″ Full SST Ejector 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,825
WOA#: WY240407DB004
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Grade 5
Serial Number: 7427
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Gauge: 12 GA, 2 5/8” Shells
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) and Ejectors
Markings: The top of the rib is marked “MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. FULTON NY”, the bottom of each barrel has a Nitro Steel Trade Mark stamp, the left barrel flat is marked “7427 / 5E”. The water table is marked with incomplete patent dates and “7427”. The guard is engraved with “7427”. The top of the forend iron is MARKED “Ejector / 7427 / PAT MAY 28, 1901.”. The gun has Grade 5 engraving with hunting dog scenes on the sideplates, tight scroll, and even has scroll engraving on the top of the forend iron.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Full, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a large white bead fixed to the front of the rib and a smaller mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with a splinter forend, inlaid ebony triangle at the front of the forend, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and a brown leather-wrapped buttpad. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and scratches. The forend has cracks at the rear on each side, repaired with vertical dowels visible on the top when the forend is removed. There is a very small loss in the top-right edge of the forend. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, and 13 1/8″ to the back of the wood. The drop at comb is 1 1/2″ and the drop at heel is 2 1/2″. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. The cast is about neutral. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition as refinished and not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver and forend iron finish appears Original. The barrels have been Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrels’ new finish is generally strong throughout with a few scattered minor marks. The receiver has some good case color in well protected areas, but has mostly muted. The guard has mostly worn to white with worn areas starting to go to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. The safety does not engage automatically, but does function properly when engaged manually. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in an English-fit trunk case with cleaning accessories including a three-piece brass C.M. Powers cleaning rod, snap-caps, Griffin & Howe sticker, and a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office Show Search Form. The form indicates that this serial number was produced as a 12 Gauge Grade 5 Hammerless with 30″ barrels and ejectors.
Our Assessment: The history of the L.C. Smith firearms is quite interesting. L. C. Smith formed a partnership with L. H. Smith and W.H. Baker to manufacture a three-barrel gun in 1879. L. C. Smith took over the company in 1880 and in 1884 began manufacturing hammer shotguns. Smith became interested in a new-fangled invention called the typewriter, and sold the company in 1888 to John Hunter. Smith went on to form the Smith-Corona company and became a world leader in the manufacture of typewriters. The L. C. Smith shotguns manufactured by Hunter Arms went on to become some of the highest quality shotguns made in the United States. When Marlin bought the Hunter Arms Co. in 1945, they began manufacturing the same guns under the L. C. Smith Gun Company title. A fire caused destruction of most of the manufacturing capability in 1949 and in 1950, the factory was closed.
This is a beautiful Grade 5 Hammerless made in 1902. It has gorgeous engraving with tight scroll surrounding realistic relief-engraved hunting dog scenes. Per the consignor, the gun was re-stocked by Griffin & Howe, quite believable given the quality of the wood and leather-wrapped pad. The barrels have been refinished, but the crispness and detail of the engraving indicates that the receiver is all original. With a Hunter One Trigger, automatic ejectors and the included case, this is going to make an L.C. Smith or double barrel shotgun collector very happy. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
