LC Smith letter

[John Bastiani]

Is the LC Smith Collectors Assn. printing their own research letters now? I have a LC Smith specialty 410 that I have a letter(about 10 years ago) that came from the Buffalo Bill historical center in Cody that was handling all the research letters for the L C Smiths. I heard that a fellow is doing the research on the LC Smith forum for the factory letters now. Has anybody got one of these letters and are they the same basic letter that the Cody letters are? My Cody letter list about everything that you could think of but I thought the LC Smith people might even have some new info and thought maybe somebody on this forum has got both letters. Thanks

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by John Bastiani

Is the LC Smith Collectors Assn. printing their own research letters now? I have a LC Smith specialty 410 that I have a letter(about 10 years ago) that came from the Buffalo Bill historical center in Cody that was handling all the research letters for the L C Smiths. I heard that a fellow is doing the research on the LC Smith forum for the factory letters now. Has anybody got one of these letters and are they the same basic letter that the Cody letters are? My Cody letter list about everything that you could think of but I thought the LC Smith people might even have some new info and thought maybe somebody on this forum has got both letters. Thanks

Yes, Jim Stubendiek (I probably butchered the spelling) does a great job, but Smith records are sometimes sketchy. The letters include period info about the grade, too. Very nice letters IF the records are there. Jim is great to work with, BTW.

[B. Dudley]

Usually Smith letters are not worth the money. They are always very long, but not much is said.

[double barrel]

Jim stubendieck does a great job, he goes beyond the cody letters by including how many were made in its configuration. You will have to join the LCSCA to get the letter at a more reasonable cost.
Something as rare as what you have would clearly be worth the cost.
Ken

[Drew Hause]

From the LCSCA FAQs

What can I expect from a Research Letter on my L.C. Smith shotgun?


The Hunter Arms Company maintained detailed order and production records, but all that remains are the shipping department ledgers which were recovered from a trash barrel by William Brophy; everything else was lost or destroyed by the Marlin Firearms Company. The following serial numbers for pre-1913 shotguns were lost: 22,501 to 27,765, 46,000 to 49,999, 70,000 to 78,999, and 90,000 to 99,999.


Information on shotguns produced 1890 to 1917 is usually limited. Generally, the shipping records include only the shipping date, manufacturing date, barrel length, gauge, and grade. This information can, however, establish that your shotgun has not been upgraded and that the barrel length has not been modified. Both facts may be important in establishing the value of your shotgun.


Book 2 (around 1900) is a marked exception and often includes weight, stock dimensions, and where the gun was shipped. Most of the 1890 to 1917 books also have a letter symbol for the inspector ("P" was M.W. Mack). The symbol and the name of the inspector are included in research letters.


In most cases, more information is available for shotguns made between 1918 and 1950. In addition to the information for the early guns, the books may include dates of starting, proofing, patterning, finishing, and shipping. The name of the company to which it was shipped and the order number are usually in the records. Occasionally, the name of the person ordering the shotgun will be noted, but many shotguns were ordered through a local or regional sporting goods or hardware company. In those cases, the name of the final purchaser was not recorded in the ledger. The shipping records usually contain a list of the options (such as REOBV which stands for regular weight frame, automatic ejectors, selective Hunter One-Trigger, beavertail forend, and ventilated rib) and occasionally contain special order information (such as a initials engraved on the trigger guard.)


The Marlin era guns (primarily the L.C. Smith Gun Company 1945 to the end of production) usually contain all of the information provided in the 1918-1945 shipping records. The proof and patterning dates may be missing however. Late in production, many of the records do not include who ordered the shotgun.

The records include the 1968 to 1971 Field Grade shotguns, but the information for the Deluxe Models is missing.


The LCSCA now has an extensive (but as noted incomplete) database for all pre- and post-1913 Grades, including DeLuxe, Premier, Monogram, and Crown; Olympic, Pigeon, Premier Skeet, and Skeet Special; Fulton and Hunter Special; Long Range Wild Fowl; and Single Barrel Trap (SBT) shotguns. We have found that the numbers of shotguns in many of the grades vary considerably from information published by Brophy and Houchins. With the database, we are able to tell you how many were made with each of the various options and how many had the exact configuration of your L.C. Smith.


Your letter will be printed on reproduction circa 1900 Hunter Arms Company letterhead; 100% rag, 32 pound, and acid free paper. Each letter is assigned a research number that is embossed with the LCSCA seal over gold foil. The letter is placed in an archival plastic sleeve and mailed flat.

Click on the images here for examples
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/conten...dule_id=245742

[John Bastiani]

Thanks for the replies. This is a late 1920's gun and it sounds like there is alot of information available for this gun. The new letter probably won't add much more info than I already have but since its a pretty scarce gun- it probably won't hurt to have another letter for provenance. Also: Could a LC Smith member explain why they don't have the Cody Records and not get the benefit of members and non -members fee for the letters?

[Stepmac]

I own an L.C. Smith O grade shotgun. It is heavy, damascus. F and Mod. I like the gun, but it is not worthy of research IMO. It is a shooter, but nothing that I'd take home to mother.

[Bill Murphy]

John B, I suggest you ask questions about the relationship between Cody and the LCSCA on their site. I wonder too about this relationship.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

I just wonder what Murphy is doing up at 1:37 am?
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I could add my two guns together and still not get what you have John
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[Randy Roberts]

John, a couple LCS letters attached to give you some idea of what you might expect. I would think these are fairly typical of what you might get.