LC SMith Extractor Question

[BRDHNTR]

Here are some photos of this Smith I just picked up. The gun is clean and whoever did the blueing and stock work did a nice job but the frame should have been case colored not blued. The good news is the blueing can be easily removed and the frame case colored. I may send it to Turnbull and have them do it. But at the end of the day, it's not meant to be a show piece but a decent shooter.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Turnbull does great work but see my albums on this site for accurate LC Smith case colors by Bachelder.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=226

http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=224

[BRDHNTR]

Mark,
Brad's work is exceptional and I've spoken with him. He's running a 4-6 month backlog right now. I'm talking with Turnbull to see what their time frame is like, I want to shoot this thing, this year if possible. Your classic doubles are beautiful! Would you like to add another BHE to your collection? I have an original for sale if you're interested. regards, allen

[charlie cleveland]

allen whats wrong with a blued framed shooter...i have a lc smith 16 ga thats got a blued frame..serial no is within 75 numbers of the last lc smith built before the old factory collasped...i believe it to be factory blued but some say no...but it still looks good and dont bother the shooting at all...heh if shes a safe queen she needs to be correct but as a shooter no.... charlie

[BRDHNTR]

Good point Charlie. I do like case colors and Dan Cullity here in Sandwich, Mass is a world class gunsmith can do it for $250. so it's short money to make it more pleasing to my eye and more but not entirely correct as Cullity's colors are more English style but to me it doesn't matter. I just like case colors. (By the way, someone once said:"you'll never see a Brinks truck following a hearse") for what it's worth. From what I've read off the LC Smith Collectors web site, all Smith's left the factory with case colors. I suppose they would've blued one if it was a special order.

[Jack Kuzepski]

Allen,

I think you're right about the special orders. I have a few Smiths and one Field Grade from the mid 1920's is nickel plated; not every part, just the outside of the action, lock plates, and screw heads. Some say these were done aftermarket as the factory never advertised this kind of work and there is nothing in the records about it. Others feel that it was done at the factory because of the work masking off what was not to be nickeled in order that tolerances were maintained and not having to refit parts already fitted and assembled.
I also have an early 00 grade Smith that operates like yours and I thought there was something wrong with it also.

Jack Kuzepski

[BRDHNTR]

That's right Jack. Everything I've read so far on Smith's is that all frames left the factory case colored regardless of grade and moreover except for the very highest of grades, the internals were same for all grades. The finish work on some internal mechanisims might have been better on the higher grades but mechanically they all operated the same way.
Case colored side plates were the hallmark of LC Smith. (and their design configuration)

[Drew Hause]

Allen: The Smith barrel lug 'disc and pin joint check' was used until about 1900 on extractor guns, and your gun appears to be a (pre-1913) 00 and should have Armour Steel barrels. There was some overlap in the Hunter Arms serial numbers so please check the date of manufacture again.

[BRDHNTR]

Drew,
It does have Armor Steel barrels and the serial # is 99636. I may have read the record wrong. All numbers on the gun match. Tight as a drum.

[Drew Hause]

That number series has been 'lost' Allen, but it's likely 1898 (the 00 introduction year) or early 1899.