Hello everyone!
Just here to get some opinions on my most recent gun show purchase. I noticed this 0 grade L.C. Smith and couldn't help but look at it numerous times. I'm a sucker for the old guns, the older the better in my case. It dates to 1898, has a damascus barrel and is very well used. However, I only paid $350 after some discussion with the seller, so I am happy about the price. Blue book has this model in 10% condition for $500. Hoping I got a good deal.
The wood is in pretty good shape overall. There are actually no chips in the stock near the butt plate where chips are frequently found. It is a bit scratched up, but there are absolutly no cracks anywhere in the wood components. It is a little warped(?) and oxidized on the underside where the metal meets the wood under the reciever. Other than that small area, wood is great.
Also no recoil pad or any extras. This baby is original and really shows it.
The triggers, safety, break, and ejectors all work perfect and the bores are pretty clean.
Reciever and nearly all metal components have turned a very dark patina. Obviously no case-color left on reciever, but I was well aware of that walking into this. Damascus barrels are in OK shape except for a small (.5'' by 2'') spot of rust on the tip of the left barrel near the muzzle. Very minimal and this is the only real rust I can find on the gun. No pits anywhere. I am really amazed by the texture/look to the damascus twist steel in the barrels. It really catches my eye.
Here are some pictures:
Here is the rust spot on the left front barrel.
Sorry for the blurryness, I will be putting up more soon.
As for shooting this thing, I am going to have a good gunsmith check it out, and also look for some ultra-low pressure 12 gauge loads. I'm also going to try and find out if this gun was chambered for black-powder or smokeless powder charges. Maybe some of you true history buffs could help me on this one. Its an 1898 mfg.
More pictures to come and let me know what you think!
Just here to get some opinions on my most recent gun show purchase. I noticed this 0 grade L.C. Smith and couldn't help but look at it numerous times. I'm a sucker for the old guns, the older the better in my case. It dates to 1898, has a damascus barrel and is very well used. However, I only paid $350 after some discussion with the seller, so I am happy about the price. Blue book has this model in 10% condition for $500. Hoping I got a good deal.
The wood is in pretty good shape overall. There are actually no chips in the stock near the butt plate where chips are frequently found. It is a bit scratched up, but there are absolutly no cracks anywhere in the wood components. It is a little warped(?) and oxidized on the underside where the metal meets the wood under the reciever. Other than that small area, wood is great.
Also no recoil pad or any extras. This baby is original and really shows it.
The triggers, safety, break, and ejectors all work perfect and the bores are pretty clean.
Reciever and nearly all metal components have turned a very dark patina. Obviously no case-color left on reciever, but I was well aware of that walking into this. Damascus barrels are in OK shape except for a small (.5'' by 2'') spot of rust on the tip of the left barrel near the muzzle. Very minimal and this is the only real rust I can find on the gun. No pits anywhere. I am really amazed by the texture/look to the damascus twist steel in the barrels. It really catches my eye.
Here are some pictures:
Here is the rust spot on the left front barrel.
Sorry for the blurryness, I will be putting up more soon.
As for shooting this thing, I am going to have a good gunsmith check it out, and also look for some ultra-low pressure 12 gauge loads. I'm also going to try and find out if this gun was chambered for black-powder or smokeless powder charges. Maybe some of you true history buffs could help me on this one. Its an 1898 mfg.
More pictures to come and let me know what you think!
