L. C. Smith question

[William Woods]

Any of you historians know if an L. C. Smith manufactured in 1892, could be ordered as a live bird gun? No safety engraving on the top tang under the safety button.

This gun was orderd by a Mr. J. C. Acklin in 1892. I know he competed in some shooting events, but I cannot locate the little information I had on him.

Thanks.

[Garry L Gordon]

Any of you historians know if an L. C. Smith manufactured in 1892, could be ordered as a live bird gun? No safety engraving on the top tang under the safety button.

This gun was orderd by a Mr. J. C. Acklin in 1892. I know he competed in some shooting events, but I cannot locate the little information I had on him.

Thanks.

William, you might post your question on the Smith Forum. I feel confident that a safety-less gun could be ordered at that time period, but cannot offer proof. Smith made its three-way safety for trap shooters and did so prior to 1900 if memory serves.

[Drew Hause]

No hits on Acklin in the Sporting Life archives, but there were limited trapshooting reports prior to 1895.

The answer is likely 'yes' as guns without safeties exist
https://www.facebook.com/groups/569321103922680/posts/1718181019036677/

L.C. Smith Maker, Syracuse and then Hunter Arms aggressively marketed Smith guns for Live Birds and Inanimate Targets as early as 1883 when Harvey McMurchy left Cincinnati for Syracuse.
Unfortunately is is unlikely that the existing shipping records from that date would document the request for no safety
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=43784&module_id=245742

The "Combined Automatic and Independent Safety" was patented by Alexander T. Brown and Wilbert Smith in 1886 and available as a special order. It was standard on Hunter Arms Company guns from 1895 to 1902. Thereafter, it was available as an option until 1945, and is frequently found on pre-1913 guns.

Lots of information here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rtqfXbMHv08c0iojRUFUV5kR7jIc-7jdinPZEmI9WSc/edit?tab=t.0

[William Woods]

In trying to type a response, I get timed out before I can send.

Thanks Mr. Drew and Mr. Gary.

There is a Cody letter on the gun, with the Marlin letterhead.

[Brian Dudley]

I would think it certainly could.