Guns International #: 103239366

Category - LC Smith Shotguns - Shotguns - American Double

Category
LC Smith Shotguns
Shotguns - American Double

L.C. Smith Crown 12 Gauge – PROVENANCE, VENT RIB, vintage firearms

Description:
General Specs: L.C. Smith, 1937, 12 Gauge, 7lbs. 14oz., Chokes F/F, LOP 14 1/8", DAH 1 3/4", DAC 1 3/8"
Serial Number:  RE161491 

The Crown Grade Elsie; one of the finest, most elegant American doubles ever produced.  The Crown Grade was certainly a special, “MADE TO ORDER” shotgun, with only 800 or so made in all gauges, and only 639 made in 12 gauge.  If you consider loss and damage, there are likely less than 550 Crown Grade 12’s left on the planet, and only ONE LIKE THIS ONE.  What a find we have here in this 1937 vintage L.C. Smith Crown Grade, sn161491, with its highly figured walnut stock, elaborately engraved with rose and scroll background and fine, deeply chiseled bird dogs on either side.  The L.C. Smith Gun Collectors Association letter that accompanies the purchase of the gun states clearly that the gun was shipped to Joe Heistand in December of 1937.  Heistand is a Trap Shooters Hall of Famer and still holds the record for the most Grand American Championship wins in the history of the event.  He won High Overall in 1938, possibly shooting this L.C. Smith…THAT IS SERIOUS PROVENANCE!  See the attached history of his shooting accomplishments.  The L.C. Smith was the only commercially successful sidelock gun from the glory days of the vintage American double.  What a canvas to lay down your art as an engraver, and what a functional, strong, simple action was created in the venerable “Elsie”.  This gun is in excellent condition, with mirror bores, excellent factory original checkering and wood finish, nice case color, 99% factory blue on the 30” F/F ventilated rib barrels that are tight as new on breech face and hinge pin, top lever right of center, excellent screws, properly functioning single selective trigger, and scarce “flat style” beavertail forend (most were the Schnabel style) made with high shooting dimensions.  The wood figure on this gun is standout.  Even the jeweling on the barrel flats is still strong, indicating little use.  Nicely balanced, weighing 7lbs. 14oz. on the “regular” weight frame with a reinforced forend lug, no cracks or chips in the wood, it would be a great clays or heavy upland gun.  Being built as a target gun, it was shipped as a “live bird gun” without a safety so you never lose a bird because the safety was inadvertently on safe.  L.C. Smith, and indeed all the prominent double gun makers of the time, paid special attention to live bird guns and dedicated target guns, as when their guns won at important shooting events, the public wanted to own the winning brand of gun.  The special attention toward bore diameter, chamber cuts, and chokes produced the very best patterns possible, and the guns were attended to by only the most experienced senior gun makers at the company.  It is not often you will have a chance to own a fine L.C. Smith that is documented as belonging to the most accomplished champion in the history of the American Trap Shooters Association!  See the specifications below.  A true collectible, investment quality firearm that will continue to rise in value as you enjoy its use, and a gun that will seriously compete with the best of modern target guns..  Thanks for looking!

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Barrels
Barrel Length:   30"
Chokes:   .036/.036 F/F
Bores:   mirror perfect
Bore Diameter:   .726/.726
Wall Thickness:   .035/.030
% Blue:   99% factory blue
Chambers:   2 3/4"
Ribs:   vent rib-tight
Sights:  double ivory beads

Action
Action:  tight-Slight Left of Center
Ejectors
Receiver Condition:   60% factory case color fading but there
Screws:   perfect
Engraving:   sharp, clear
Trigger Type:   Single Select Trigger
Trigger Guard Color:   98% factory charcoal blue

Stock
Type:   capped pistol grip/beavertail; nice Euro figured walnut
LOP:   14 1/8" to rear trigger position
LOP To End Of Wood:   13 1/4"
DAH:   1 3/4"
DAC:   1 3/8"
Cast:   3/16" off
Checkering Condition:   superb
Butt Treatment:   red Silvers pad

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 or questions. Thanks! Vintage Firearms.
Payment and Shipping.

Ways to Pay: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3.5% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3.5% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax Collected: AZ, FL, GA, MI, MO, PA, TX, WI
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $180.00 within continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK.
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes or No. C&R licenses accepted for shipping C&R eligible guns

Other
Terms of Purchase: Check your local and state laws before purchasing. It is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm his/her right to own the firearm or any item before purchasing.
PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. View all listings and our full inventory of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. Thanks for looking!We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs “tweaked”, let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns “as found” and others want them “just so”. We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge

Price: $9,750.00