LC Smith Grade 5

[Jay Gardner]

One of my favorite American doubles has always been the LCS Grade 5 because of the detailed engraving and the attention to detail. Two years ago I found one in MSP that was in need of resurrection. This is what I bought:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0024_zpscd94885f.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0024_zpscd94885f.jpg.html)http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0030_zps829c9e62.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0030_zps829c9e62.jpg.html)http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0035_zpseb83736b.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0035_zpseb83736b.jpg.html)http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0037_zps4882bc51.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0037_zps4882bc51.jpg.html)

Now, I am not a proponent of "restoring" a vintage double but this gun was in need of more than a good cleaning. None of the wood was original, all case color was gone, the barrels had been polished hard on a wheel and the safety was not original. The good news was the engraving retained virtually all original detail, there was plenty of metal left in the barrels and the mechanics were in great shape.

After seeing the work Brad Bachelder had done on another Grade 5 handing him the project was a no brainer. We found a nice stick of wood (almost exactly the same grain as one of the Gr 5's featured in the LCS book) and Brad worked his magic. The results:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0001_zps66a66e59.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0001_zps66a66e59.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0002_zps081a5101.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0002_zps081a5101.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0009_zpsc14669c7.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0009_zpsc14669c7.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0010_zps7ff9b85e.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0010_zps7ff9b85e.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0008_zpsc15bba07.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0008_zpsc15bba07.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0003_zps8c2424a6.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0003_zps8c2424a6.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0004_zps1fee0129.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0004_zps1fee0129.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0006_zps163e1c22.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0006_zps163e1c22.jpg.html)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/Doublegun_2006/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0007_zps9c0c6787.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Doublegun_2006/media/LC%20Smith%20Grade%205/DSC_0007_zps9c0c6787.jpg.html)

At 7-lb, 12-ozs "Elsie" won't be spending much time in the grouse woods but she is a fine gun for clay games and I expect her to hold her own this fall on ditch-dragons. Regardless, I am glad to have rescued the old gal from further decline and I can't thank Brad enough for his time, effort and patience bring her back to near original condition.

[Drew Hause]

Thanks for posting Jay. Did Brad mention any marks on the buttplate? It is felt to be after-market plate, and has been found on other 1900's era American shotguns, including Ithaca, AH Fox, and Lefever. It was offered in a standard thickness, and another adding 1" to the LOP, and possibly marketed for that purpose.
To my knowledge, the maker is unknown.

[Jay Gardner]

Drew,

I provided Brad with the pad, a reproduction I picked up somewhere via the web. In terms of it being aftermarket, I have no idea. I believe the standard treatment was a lined black plate, even on the highest grades.

[John Dallas]

I've seen this gun a while back. It's a dandy, and Jay shoots it well

[Jay Gardner]

I've seen this gun a while back. It's a dandy, and Jay shoots it well

Thank you, John. That's quite a compliment coming from you. I am looking forward to bringing her to the putintaknthingy this fall and putting her to work on some of those roosters.