LC Smith Beavertail question

[Rick Roemer]

Hi.

Did LC Smith use a reinforcement rod in all 12 gauge beavertail forends similar to Parker? Were there different styles/lengths of forend wood, etc? 1920s vintage in particular.
Thank you

[Stan Hillis]

Rick, I'm uncertain as to what you mean by a reinforcing rod. Would you explain, please?

This is the beavertail forend on my pre-1913 Smith 3E. Maybe they can help you determine what you need to know.(?) I know it's several years older than what you're looking for. Sorry.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/74066_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/74066_800x600/)

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/74067_800x600.jpg (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/74067_800x600/)

[Brian Dudley]

The ones I have seen all had a drawbolt. And there of the same style.

[Drew Hause]

Like most things Hunter Arms, it's complicated.

The Wadsworth patent FE was introduced with the Double Barrel Trap in 1920

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-3kz288P/0/KrNH3r6z6gRTnM5rGr7mcsFJnLCWF7RWVJSDMp3gb/S/FE%20Wadsworth%20Ptd.-S.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-3kz288P/A)

The early FEs were long and short & blocky

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-vpRxt5n/0/MsWPg6VstWJJXCRcWdZ59KLLJ8zzXBP9GRSDQVdRc/L/BTFE%20Doubles-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-vpRxt5n/A)

The Schnable was introduced in 1922

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-tMvbSPQ/0/NggFrGp56WsfwsWM2dF5Fm35GKwJMVnnqnJsFF4zf/M/IMG_2556%20%28Medium%29-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-tMvbSPQ/A)

At some point the reinforcing rod was not visible at the end of the FE being within slot in the FE

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-GgWGgBL/0/Mdq4DtHdqjTQtCKP8Hbsdj3HXKRwzDknNK35N3GsK/M/IMG_2561%20%28Medium%29-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-GgWGgBL/A)

A more attractive Schnable BTFE was also available, but I don't know when it was introduced

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-cHJNCXg/0/KLRwcDdDWLq6325vZK87zdGG5P7VdGPfbWWRnD9gf/M/L-C-Smith-Skeet-Special-12-Gauge-LR%20resozed-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-cHJNCXg/A)

and "Skeet Style" introduced in 1929

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-HVjTSKh/0/LnkW6TL7J9HVhsC2qWXh9JtnRwrfTTLf3DcBR3Jxv/M/LC-Smith-Ideal-Skeet-16-ga-Like-New_102330812_16084_CB9D1C2DFE563531-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-HVjTSKh/A)

There were several "Skeet Style" that did not have the reinforcing rod

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-nNkHmWh/0/NGNKv6p3KpDqKDV7t7Ln53MhX4TTsGnb6czkWb74f/L/Skeet%20forends-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Wood-BTFE/i-nNkHmWh/A)

BTW the Smith SBT BTFE did not get the reinforcing rod until about 1931

[Brian Dudley]

Yeah, the wadsworth stuld forend is the one I was thinking of.

And I forgot about that skeet style one.