Make: Hunter Arms Co. 

Model: L.C. Smith Field Grade

Serial Number: 119513

Year of Manufacture: 1929

Gauge: 12 GA with 2 3/4” Chambers

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sideplate Double Barreled Shotgun with Extractor and Hunter One Trigger

Barrel Length: 32"

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Full, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with smooth beavertail forend, checkered wrist, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and ventilated orange rubber Western Field recoil pad. The forend iron is serial-matching, but the forend wood is replacement. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are bruises, cracks and losses around the front edges of the wrist. There is notable sanding at the rear edge of the butt. The checkering ranges from well defined to worn smooth, with some areas obviously re-cut. The LOP measures 13 7/8" and 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad and wood, respectively. The pad shows wear and discoloration, but is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished and/or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. There are patches of moderate erosion near the muzzle in each bore. The bores have a few scattered shallow dents visible. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 10% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in protected areas such as the water table and the portions of the barrels that was covered by the original forend. Exposed surfaces of the barrels have gone to a uniform patina. Exposed portions of the receiver have muted with some color around the fences and under the lever. There is scattered light surface oxidation. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are a few minor dents in the barrels. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety does not engage when the action is opened, but functions properly when engaged manually. The barrels lock to the frame with no play. 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: None.

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 an L. C. Smith Field Grade shotgun that was made in 1929, chambered in 12 gauge with 32” barrels choked Full. The shotgun is in Good condition, showing wear consistent with its age and use in the field. This would make for an addition to any L.C. Smith, double-barrel, American, or really any shotgun collection and would also be a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!