Need information from 1895 L C Smith Catalog

[Garry L Gordon]

I've posted this request on the Smith forum, but I thought I might do the same here also.

I'm trying to nail down the introduction of Smith's Nitro Steel barrels. The Houchins book notes that both Crown and Nitro steel barrels were introduced in the 1895 catalog as well as the first introduction of the Pigeon Gun.

Other information shared with me by Drew Hause suggests that Nitro Steel was not introduced until several years later. For a project I'm working on I'd really like to see if indeed the 1895 catalog mentioned the Crown and Nitro Steel as well as the Pigeon Gun. I know that Pigeon guns exist in the records first starting in 1893, but, unfortunately, the records do not show the type of barrel make-up.

If by chance you have the 1895 catalog and could photograph pertinent pages and send them to me via email (g.g2@aol.com), I would be very grateful.

Thanks!!

(Here is the reference from the Houchins book.)

[Dave Noreen]

While I'm not an L.C. Smith guy but I have an August 1894, Chas. J. Godfrey catalog and the L.C. Smith guys were pretty excited about this page with the Pigeon Grade and the Crown Steel barrels.

100234

[Drew Hause]

Discussion on the LCSCA forum
https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/1633196391.html

Poor image from the 1895 catalog

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Steel/i-GkTcwjZ/0/52d377fe/S/1895%20catalog%20Crown%20listing-S.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Steel/i-GkTcwjZ/A)

1898 pocket catalog listing Crown and Nitro

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Pigeon/i-g3C8f3C/0/f70c6495/L/1898%20Pocket%20catalog%204%20Stanley%20Hackett%20-%20Copy-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Pigeon/i-g3C8f3C/A)

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks so much, Dave! This is very helpful, and it reenforces information shared with me by Drew H. I recently had the chance to examine Fred Gilbert's Smith Pigeon Gun. It now has Nitro Steel barrels. We suspect that they may be replacement barrels, but the Houchins information makes things a bit more intriguing. The gun in question is an 1895 gun.

I'd still very much like to see what's in that 1895 catalog. Anyone know where one is?

[Garry L Gordon]

Still looking for this information...

[charlie cleveland]

I have a early grade 4 lc smith will have to pull it from safe to see what kinda steel barrels it has...will this help....charlie

[Garry L Gordon]

I have a early grade 4 lc smith will have to pull it from safe to see what kinda steel barrels it has...will this help....charlie

Charlie, I'm trying to determine when Smith's Nitro Steel was first introduced and used on its guns. One source suggests that it was introduced in the 1895 catalog, but I've found other instances that suggest it was introduced later.

What I really need is to see if Nitro Steel was indeed mentioned in that early catalog.

Thanks for offering to check your No. 4, though. It is much appreciated. BTW, I have two No. 4s -- a 12 and 16. Both have beautiful chain Damascus barrels. How about yours?

[charlie cleveland]

I got the grade 4 out of the safe it has nitro steel barrels..the guns serial no is in the 42xxx range...hope this helps...the earky grade guns engraving is not as pretty as the later made no 4 grade guns to me...but I like them all....charlie

[Garry L Gordon]

Charlie, thanks so much! By the serial number, I'd say your gun was made in about 1898, yes? The big question for me and the Gilbert gun I've examined, is did it come with Nitro Barrels in 1895?

So, now that you have your Smith out of the safe, could you take it out for Fall turkeys?

Thanks again for your help.

[Bruce Day]

Frank Finch is a significant Smith collector , knows his stuff and is a good guy. Try him.

[charlie cleveland]

I have never tried a fall turkey hunt in my area there is no fall season but Mississippi does have one down on the coast and by the Mississippi river and its levee....guess I could take the old no 4 squirl hunting.....thanks for the info when the no 4 was made... charlie

[Garry L Gordon]

Frank Finch is a significant Smith collector , knows his stuff and is a good guy. Try him.

Thanks, Bruce.