L.C. Smith Skeet Gun

[Researcher]

When the new "name" grades were introduced in 1913, one of the grades was the "Trap Grade", between the "Ideal" and "Specialty" grades. What Dean is describing is a "Trap Grade" gun. According to Houchins there were 356 20-gauge "Trap Grades" produced. By the late 1920s, I'm sure L.C. Smith guns of every grade were being ordered configured as skeet guns. Hunter Arms Co. introduced a gun called the L.C. Smith Skeet Special in 1929. It had a skeet logo on the right lock plate and a bird in flight on the left with a few flourishes at the corners of the plates. The L.C. Smith Skeet Special was offered through 1944. In the last couple of years, 1949-1950, they offered a bit fancier L.C. Smith Premier Skeet Gun. These are the ones to watch out for as many unfinished guns and parts were sold off and assembled/finished by who knows who.

[CSL]

Researcher has covered the subject very well...

Dean, I would be taking a very hard look at the ends of those barrels again, especially on a "Trap Grade" 20ga.

With a little bit of choke, I would not be surprised to find they have been cut. Back in the day, turning long barreled tight choked guns into short barreled Skeet and open choked Grouse/Quail guns was more common than some people might think. Especially if the barrel ends had been damaged at some point... If the serial number is in the books, there is a possibility original barrel length could be confirmed.

Best, CSL
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