LC Smith Chain Damascus 10 Gauge Grade 2

[Mark Ouellette]

Hi Parker guys!

While I now own more Parker 10 gauges than all my LC Smiths I have a special place in my heart for Chain Damascus!

A while back I acquired an oil soaked and somewhat surface pitted LC Smith Grade 2 in 10 Gauge with Chain Damascus barrels. This 10 gauge was in sad shape but it did have near perfect bores! I had the gun shipped directly to Brad Bachelder for a complete restoration. I could not be happier with the results. I included a couple "before" photos for reference.

The bores measure .775" with .050" constriction. Who ever owned this old fowling piece certainly kept the bores clean! Unfortunately, they also oiled the entire gun as seen in these before photos:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LCSmith10-9.jpg
Oil soaked stock and with surface pitting.

Does anyone know how a barrel recoil lug could become so pitted?
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LCSmith10-14.jpg

Now, what you have all been waiting for! Restored "Chain Damascus"! :clap:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_014.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_002.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_26.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_012.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_008.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_003.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_25.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_23.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_22.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_11.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_10.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_09.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_08.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_07.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10CH_Lot2_03.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_057.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_053.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_051.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Chesador/LC%20Smith%2010%20Ga%20Chain%20Damascus/LC10ChainD_050.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Good for you Mark.

I've always liked the Chain and the Stars & Stripes patterns.

[Mike Stahle]

You really need to add a drool rag required disclaimer to this post :)

[charlie cleveland]

mark if you roll crimped those shells im going to give you a passing grade of A+....THOSE CRIMPS ARE THE BEST IVE SEEN IF THEY ARE RELOADS...nice nice guns..... charlie

[Mark Ouellette]

Charlie,

The loads are new Remington hulls shortened to 2 & 7/8". They were roll crimped using a $50 table top adjustable speed drill press from TSC, a Ballistics Products Incorporated (BPI) roll crimp tool, and a BPI shell vise.

I played with the vintage roll crimper pictured and it still crimps pretty well if one turns the crank at the correct speed.

With either electric or hand roll crimper the device must be turned at the correct speed. For plastic hulls crimpers work best once they heat up a little.

Respectfully,
Mark

[Eric Eis]

Mark you did good.... and Brad did a great job ! Were you able to save the old stock or did Brad make a new one? Love those barrels... Eric

[Mark Ouellette]

Eric,

This is the wood the gun left the factory with in 1901.

When received, one could press their finger on the head of the stock and get oil on their finger.
Brad Bachelder used a process to boil the oil out of stocks. I am continually impressed by Brad's innovation to employ new methods to restore these fine old guns.

PS: I do wish Parker had used Chain Damascus for their barrels!

Respectfully,
Mark

[Jack Cronkhite]

Stunning restoration. Beautiful work. Now, will it see the marshes, lakes, rivers and streams next season??
Cheers,
Jack

[Mark Ouellette]

Jack,

I'm sure that I'll use the Big Chain Gun to bag a few geese but it is doubtful that it will do time in my sculling boat!

My go-to duck and goose gun is a worn but tight, bolt through the stock EH. It was responsible for 5 down geese in 2 shots this season!

I also have a few Elsie Grade 2 and 3 Chain Guns in 12 gauge that see duck duty.

So many great old American doubles... Which one will I hunt with today?

Mark

[calvin humburg]

Like the gun also. got a roll crimper like your old one yesterday off e bay i have rem hulls also so cranking speed is slow midium or fast so i kind of know where to start. Do you put them toghether with a press them roll crimp or do you do all by hand? do you compress a little before you roll crimp? Thoes are smokless loads arn't they. best ch

[Mark Ouellette]

Calvin,

I load smokeless with 700X or 4756, SP-10 Wads, Circle Fly 16 gauge fiber as filler wad, and depending on the height of the shot column compared to the length of the shell sometimes I do use apply pressure on the crimp to seat the shot column a little bit deaper. This will of course raise pressures slightly but when loading for 6000 PSI if it is bumped up to 7000 PSI it is still plenty safe for guns with thick Damascus barrels in good condition.

Respectfully,
Mark

[Mills Morrison]

Beautiful gun and beautiful job by Brad

[John Liles]

Stunning gun Mark! Regarding Jents question, I don't recall seeing any letters engraved in the inlays either, but I'll check the few that I have, also, is the precious metal inlay on your grade 2 silver or gold? I do not recall at which grade the inlay changed from one to the other.
Thanks,
John