Make: L.C. Smith 

Model: Field Grade Featherweight

Serial Number: FWS43694

Year of Manufacture: 1949

Gauge: 16 GA with 2 3/4” Chambers

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sideplate Double Barreled Shotgun with Extractor

Barrel Length: 28"

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

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. The stocks have some light nicks and scratches. There are a few tiny losses around the front edges of the wrist. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8" and 12 7/8" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13" and 12" to the back of the wood. The pad shows wear and discoloration, it has hardened with age. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion, but there is a little stubborn fouling in the choked portion of the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor wear on the barrels and the receiver has some muting in generally strong case color. There are scattered minor nicks and small scratches. There is infrequent faint oxidation, mostly along the edges of the rib. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. 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 1949, chambered in 16 gauge with 28” barrels choked Full. The shotgun is in Very Good condition, retaining 87% of its original metal finish, light wear in the stocks, good bores and strong mechanics. This would make for a nice addition to any L.C. Smith, double-barrel, American, or really any shotgun collection and should also still prove to be a good option in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!