L.C. Smith, 1939,snFW178158, 16 Gauge, 6lbs. 11oz., Chokes M/F
Hunter Arms Co. Inc. of Fulton New York was the producer of the only commercially successful sidelock American double gun…the famous L.C. Smith gun. Simple and robust in design, L.C. Smith was the most prolific maker of the big five double gun makers, ie. Parker, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, Lefever Arms, and L.C. Smith, making nearly ½ million guns in all. Here we have what many would consider a “common” gun, a L.C. Smith Field Grade Featherweight in 16ga., snFW178158 made in 1939. Common because they made about 38,000 Field Grade 16ga. guns, but they are not all equal in the marketplace. Most you see for sale have been used hard, show lots of wear, have had stocks and/or barrels cut, pads added, poor restorations attempted, or are just worn out and loose requiring expensive repairs once you get them in hand. THIS GUN IS EXCEPTIONAL AS IT RETAINS 99% FACTORY BARREL BLUE, 99% VIVID FACTORY CASE COLOR, 96% FACTORY CHARCOAL BLUE ON THE TRIGGER GUARD, EXCELLENT SCREWS, AND IS TIGHT AS NEW ON HINGE AND BREECH FACE . YOU JUST DON’T FIND 85 YEAR OLD GUNS IN THIS CONDITION. This gun has all the best qualities when buying a vintage American double gun for investment, use afield, and at the traps; i.e. full length stock to a factory buttplate, excellent mechanics, 28” barrels choked M/F (we can change them to your favorites within 7 days of purchase) and is good-looking to boot. At Vintage Firearms, Inc. (VFI) we inspect each gun before purchase, and on this gun, we stripped the action to the smallest parts, Ultrasonic cleaned and scrubbed all to shiny metal, inspected all parts for integrity and function, lubricated and reassembled, providing a VFI CERTIFIED GUN, a $275 service in our shop. VFI CERTIFIED GUNS have a 90-day mechanical warranty providing confidence you are buying a fine shotgun that will provide years of service in the field. NONE of the other sellers provide this service. Additionally, most of the early American 16ga. guns were short chambered for 2 1/2” shells. PRESENTLY IT IS DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO FIND 2 ½” 16GA. SHELLS TO PURCHASE. BECAUSE OF THIS, VFI GUNSMITHS HAVE CAREFULLY MEASURED THE BARREL WALL THICKNESS AHEAD OF THE CHAMBER AND FINDING AMPLE WALL THICKNESS HAVE LENGTHENED THE CHAMBERS TO 2 ¾” AND EXTENDED THE FORCING CONES TO 1 ½” TAPERS SO THAT YOU CAN SHOOT MODERN 2 ¾” FIELD LOADS THROUGH THIS GUN. This is a $360 service in our shop. Modern chambers and long forcing cones makes for safe shooting with softer recoil and better patterns. We provide the most comprehensive photography and specifications in the marketplace, information that allows you to make a good choice. Just remember, nowhere is it more true than in the gun world…you get what you pay for! If you want an upland gun you can rely on, buy one that is field ready and can safely shoot modern, available field loads. Don’t miss out on this upland dream gun, just in time for the summer clay target practice and the upcoming bird season. Thanks for looking…
Barrels: 28"
Chokes: .023/.040 M/F
Bores: mirror
Bore Diameter: .664/.663
Wall Thickness: .027/.030
% Blue: 99% factory blue
Chambers: 2 3/4" with 1 1/2" cones by VFI
Ribs: single sighting plane rib tight
Sights: front brass
Action: tight, way Right of Center
Extractors
Receiver: 99% vivid factory case color
Screws: excellent
Trigger: double-crisp
Trigger Guard: 96% factory charcoal blue
Stock: capped pistol grip/splinter; plain figure
LOP: 14 1/16"
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 7/8"
DAH: 2 5/8"
DAC: 1 5/8"
Cast: neutral
Checkering: excellent
Butt: factory butt plate
INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a "VFI Certified" gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty. Call or email us for more details, extra images and questions. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc.
