Rescuing a Pigeon
 

L. C. Smith 1902 pigeon Grade 12 bore.

Brad

A Pigeon Grade LC Smith with Chain Damascus barrels. I am in serious wanting... :bowdown:

Those barrels are beautiful,and the rib repair is four star all the way.Excellent job Brad!!:cool::cool:

Oh my ,Oh my!

Who did the barrels. They are goerges.

barrels
 

Interesting story behind the barrels. When I hit them with the torch the ensuing fire told me that they had been epoxied. When the epoxy burned off it was followed by a flow of about 1/2 pound of soft solder. The bottom rib dropped away but the top rib did not move much. Someone had screwed the rib to the forearm lug. The rib was welded in three spots. The top rib was not usable. I replaced it with a salvage rib from a speciality grade set.
Suprisingly the bores we in great shape after all this prior abuse. No irreversible damage to the damascus.

Dr Jim's review of the Smith Pigeon production was published in the 2011 Double Gun Journal Volume 22, Issue 2, Page 110. Unfortunately, the remaining shipping records did not include barrel type. The first run of 10 guns was in May 1893 with the new Crown steel. Nitro steel was introduced in 1898. Hunter Arms "Chainette" was an option, and there are reports of Pigeons with Whitworth barrels.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../394375862.jpg

Great stuff Brad

Very nice Brad. Can't wait to see mine!

Nice outcome of the barrels Brad. Too bad you couldn't reproduce the rib legend.

A unique Elsie that demanded restoration - nice work!