Possible purchase, does this seem ok?
 

Hello everyone,

I don't post often, but I do read and lurk a lot. I am considering purchase of an LC Smith double 12 in Grade 1 according to the seller. Their photos look acceptable for the price.

My question is, they claim a build date of 1894, with a serial of 38122. Now here's where it gets interesting: they claim 3" chambers. This makes me a tad nervous because it is Damascus barreled, thinking maybe they were re-cut a bit too thin? Would Elsie have offered a 3" chamber originally?

The seller is 1200 miles away, so it's not like I could measure the wall thickness myself, and I'm not sure if they are equipped to do so. Thanks for any insight you can provide.

--pete

So you can't measure and he can't measure, but someone has to. If a letter doesn't give you information, you have to assume 2 1/2" or 2 5/8" factory chambers. A half inch drilled into the chambers of a Damascus gun is a lot.

Make the gun purchase contingent on inspection. You could ship it to a third party gunsmith to review the barrel condition.

Thanks guys, I suspected as much. I'll probably pass on it, there are others I can get for the same price or better. It's surprising how many of these guns were butchered though. I'm currently looking at another one that is completely original and untouched, for $400 less.

I have an early Grade 1 Damascus Smith that is a wonderful gun showing great craftsmanship.

I don't have access to any ammo catalogs dated 1894, but the 1895 UMC catalog offers their 12-gauge TRAP, SMOKELESS, NITRO and BLACK CLUB shells in lengths up to 3-inch.

Wow, thanks (!!) I did not think anyone used 3-inch that early. It's a bit reassuring to know that, but -- it's still a couple thousand dollars to bet on it. I think I will wait till I hear back from the other fellow (as well as my FFL). Thanks again!

Some of the LC Smith dating info that is out there can be confusing and spotty/inaccurate.

What do the LC guys say about it?

Well, I up and closed the deal for the other one I was looking at. It is in similar if not better condition, and almost no question of if it has ever been messed with. Appears totally original, and it was a few hundred cheaper. Now I just have to wait for the delivery and FFL.... finding ammo for it is going to be fun. I'm planning on reloading eventually, but I would like to find some factory low-pressure loads first. Unfortunately my state no longer allows loaded ammo via mail. My FFL can take delivery however. Any recommendations for a 1-ounce low pressure brand?

From the beginning, unless requested otherwise (and so stamped) 12 gauge hammer and hammerless L.C. Smith chambers were 2 3/4".

A 1898 Crown Steel Pigeon Gun

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/...3%20Inch-L.jpg

2 7/8" & 3" chambers were not uncommon on guns for Live Bird and Inanimate Target shooting - not for more powder or shot but additional wadding.

Unfortunately the 1890 - 1913 Hunter Arms shipping records, unless for a high grade gun, have limited information and are unlikely to document a special order chamber length.

It is not uncommon to find barrels with lengthened forcing cones that have had the chambers lengthened in the process :(