L C SMITH Grade 1E 20 GA

[Rino Grassa]

Originally Posted by Bob Jurewicz

By the way Rino, how could you determine it was a FW Frame from the pictures I posted?
Bob Jurewicz

The extra sideplate screw (forward section of the plate) the regular frames have just the one screw....that Elsie has a lot going for it.....what is the Barrel length and choke configuration? Looks unmolested too!

[Rino Grassa]

I would get a Letter for this nice LC

[Bob Jurewicz]

26" Barrels.
Right Bore - .616" .020" Choke
Left Bore - .615" .024" Choke
Bob Jurewicz

[Chris Robenalt]

Great little keeper! I have the same engraving on my 12. I wish mine had your case colors. I like Smiths, especially when you find one like yours! You might check your front plate screws, make sure they're on the correct side. Looks like the left screw isn't recessed correctly.
Chris

[Drew Hause]

Only 36 Grade 1 20g with 26" barrels were manufactured.

Unfortunately, information on shotguns produced 1890 to 1917 is usually limited. Generally, the shipping records include only the shipping date, manufacturing date, barrel length, gauge, and grade.
But you might get lucky with the original purchaser in a Research Letter
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/conten...dule_id=245742

The FW frame was introduced with the 20g in 1909. There MAY be a few 20g guns made prior to then on a Regular frame, but no one, other than Pine Creek Dave has seen one.

Hunter Arms did not lengthen the 20g chambers from 2 1/2" until 1936.

The No. 1 was discontinued when the Trap Grade was introduced in 1913.

[Bob Jurewicz]

I sent for a letter today. Thank all who responded to my post!!
Bob Jurewicz

[Researcher]

By the way Rino, how could you determine it was a FW Frame from the pictures I posted?

L.C. Smith collectors are still looking to find that long rumored 20-gauge on a regular frame. While a few 16-gauges were built on the Regular Frame, normally 16-gauges, as well as all 20-gauges and .410-bores are on the Featherweight frame. They produced 12-gauges on both the Regular Frame and the Featherweight Frame. Regular Frame --

Field Grade 12-gauge Regular Frame.jpg

Featherweight Frame --

Field Grade 12-gauge Featherweight Frame.jpg

A quick glance at the shape of the lockplate shows the difference.

[Rino Grassa]

Dang, my 00E 16ga is on a regular frame but it is nicely balanced and it kills birds real good.... I thought the 20's came with both the regular and FW frame

[B. Dudley]

The featherweight frames were Actually all different between the gauges.

[Robert Brooks]

Russ Ruppel told me years ago that he had seen a 20 gauge on a regular frame but i never have. Bobby