LC Smith 4E Hunter One, Live Bird
 

Asking for your thoughts on the below gun. It is a non safety from the factory believed to be owned by the original family. 30" barrels with the screws in good shape. Barrel has finish but the rest is gone from all metal parts. Any help on a value would be appreciated.

The engraving pattern suggests an early No. 4, and it has replacement barrels. After about 1898, Nitro Steel was available for the No. 4 so it likely started with Damascus barrels.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../380328930.jpg

Later style engraving with the oval forward

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../215639456.jpg

You can find the date of manufacture here using the SN
http://www.lcsmith.org/shotguns/manufacture.html

And LOTS of information here
http://www.lcsmith.org/index.html

A Research Letter might show the family to be the purchasers, and if the HOT was originally ordered. A few guns 1901-1903 were fitted with the HOT, prior to it being introduced in 1904.
http://www.lcsmith.org/shotguns/researchdivision.html

Still an interesting and desirable gun, esp. if it can be connected to a turn-of-the-century "Top Gun" at the Traps.

i have a no 4 early gun with thesame engraving as this gun..mine has the nitro steel barrels.... this is a nice gun that is shown here...charlie

An L.C. Smith letter on that gun will clarify some of the mystery. Neat gun, no safety guns being a bit scarce. Ownership provenance will add to the value.