I have a 12 FW Smith with 26" barrels- came with the factory yellow tag- is choked Imp. Cyl. and Mod. and has the higher rib they came out with in 1939.
I like it for SC- DT but extractors, and except for the two-man hurry event, you don't need ejectors. It is an Ideal Grade- the only 12 Smith (OK- all my Smiths are 12 gauge) I own that is post 1913 and is a FW.
I am overhauling (strip and clean mechanism) a Field 16 FWE for a friend- made in 1926 (according to Houchin's book) and it has 30" Armor steel barrels both choked Full. Another friend has a 3E made in 1911- that is a light Mod. and Full 28" Nirto Steel barrels and is a great pheasant gun.
But I love the 30" and 32" barreled 12 ejector Smiths with tight chokes- great for pass shooting, Euro and tower bird shoots, and I like to see big birds crumple- so I like tighter chokes-
Charlie- tell me what you like in 12 hulls- I don't reload anymore- I have some green Remington STS and some red Win AA's- yours for the shipping cost to you- send me a PM if interested.
I think its great we can discuss openly the other fine doubles being used and appreciated afield today, besides our Parkers- if you had filet mignon for supper every night, might you not want something different every now and then?
