LC Smith Serial Number Confusion, 0 Grade

[Sam Carpenter]

I am a new member and I hope this is the right place to ask this question. I recently was in a small town gunship and ran across an unmolested and uncracked LC Smith '0 Grade'. It is serial number 34659. This does not match with the timeframe of manufacture for the 0 grade that I can tell. It comes back to 1892 and again way later than 1913. The information I got was from the Brophy book and from the LC Smith Collectors website. Any advice or direction would be appreciated. (My Parkers were so much easier to date)

[Rick Losey]

I believe LC Smith reused some serial number ranges -

[charlie cleveland]

go to the lc smith forem them boys will figure your date out....charlie

[Frank Cronin]

This is what I can tell you with my limited knowledge. An O grade was considered a pre 1913 LC Smith. During the transitional period serial numbers starts at 30K and 1892 sounds about right. Log on to the LC website forum and ask their members to confirm. I'm sure they will help you out.

[Drew Hause]

Did you request a confirmation letter Sam?
https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/1591919064.html
As said, 1892 is correct.

[Sam Carpenter]

Did you request a confirmation letter Sam?
https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/1591919064.html
As said, 1892 is correct.

Thanks Drew.
My confusion is because Smith site indicates that the earliest production of the 0 Grade was 1894. I am a member and need to do the letter. I'm hopeful that they will clear things up. All markings and serial numbers match on the whole gun. We're certain of what we have but the the numbers... Thanks again.

[Drew Hause]

1894 is correct Sam. Dr. Jim's "L.C. Smith Production Records" lists 66 No. O guns produced that year. It is possible that the frame was stamped earlier, then used for the new No. O. A Research Letter would clarify the date of completion.