L.C. Smith Quality No. 3 Hammerless 28″ 12 GA SXS Shotgun, 1891 Antique
SOLD FOR: $730
WOA#: WY240407DB002
Make: L.C. Smith
Model: Quality 3 (No. 3)
Serial Number: 33672
Year of Manufacture: 1891
Gauge: 12 GA, 2 5/8″
Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock Double Barreled Shotgun with Extractor
Markings: The top of the rib is marked “THE HUNTER ARMS CO MAKERS FULTON. N.Y.”. The bottom of the forend lug rib is marked “3”. The left barrel flat, extractor cam, forend iron, guard, and right of the water table are each marked “33672”. The forend iron and water table are also marked with patent dates. Each sideplate is marked “L.C. SMITH”. The gun has Quality 3 scroll engraving.
Barrel Length: 28″
Choke: Left: Cylinder Bore, Right: Cylinder Bore, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, inlaid triangular ebony forend tip, straight grip, straight comb and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. There is an inlay on the bottom of the forend molded with a hunting dog. The forend has filled losses at the top-rear on each side. There is a tiny crack at the rear of the top tang. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. Drop at comb is approximately 2″, drop at heel 3″. The plate has some light wear with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Browned Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: The barrels have been Refinished, the receiver’s finish appears Original.
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting. Each barrel has a few shallow dents visible in the bore, the right barrel has had some dents pressed out. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its current metal finish. The barrels’ brown finish is generally strong, having some light wear and a little bit of streaking. The damascus patterning is strong in some areas and shows wear in others. The receiver’s case color has mostly muted with infrequent minor erosion. The guard shows handling wear. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock solidly to the frame. The safety returns to safe automatically when the action is opened. 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 with an English fit trunk-case with reproduction LC Smith label inside the lid, two-piece wood cleaning rod, and snap-caps.
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.
This is an L. C. Smith Quality 3 hammerless shotgun made in 1891. The stocks have been professionally refinished and the barrels have a new browned finish, so the gun looks great for its age. It still locks up tight with strong mechanics and will make a neat addition to an L.C. Smith or early hammerless double shotgun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
