L.C. Smith Long Range

[Eldon Goddard]

I have some questions about the L.C. Smith Long Range. Did they make any that were not 3'' chambered and if there is added material soldered on the barrels in front of the barrel loop as pictured does that guarantee it is a long range model.

[Marc Retallack]

Hi Eldon,

If you don't get all your questions answered here, you might try asking on the LC Smith forum http://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/

Also, I believe there was a recent article in the DGJ on the LC Longrange guns that may be of interest to you.


Cheers
Marcus

[Eldon Goddard]

Yes the article is what got me wondering if this is a long range or not. It does not mention whether only the long range models had the extra support added.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

If the barrel is not stamped or engraved "LONG RANGE" or Wildfowl it is neither.

The Reinforcing Lug between the barrels was not restricted to the Long Range option. If fact there are Long Range guns that do not have this. Previously I owned 2 without the lug. I still have a Grade 3 with a Reinforcing Lug which is not a Long Range.

[charlie cleveland]

i have a field grade long range 3 inch marked and it does not have the lug either... charlie

[Eldon Goddard]

Thanks guys that is what I wanted to know. Keep my from buying a set of barrels.

[Researcher]

Just like everything else in these old doubles there is the "norm" and then lots of variations. Gotta remember, workers were grabbing parts to assemble and get product out the door.

[B. Dudley]

I can say that the reinforcing lug is not limited to long range guns. Does that LC you ask about have a BTFE? I recently had an LC Smith regular frame skeet special in the shop with factory vent rib, ejectors and BTFE. It had the same lug you ask about.

[Drew Hause]

What Mark and Brian said. There are (at least) 3 variants of the Smith barrel loop support. Pre-1913 guns with barrels having a reinforcing wedge probably have replacement barrels or the support was fitted at a later date; possibly after introduction of the Double Barrel Trap Gun in 1920 or the Long Range Wild Fowl in 1924.
The reinforcing wedge is found routinely on guns with beavertail forends, especially the long beavertail schnabel introduced in 1922.

This is the 3rd style solid wedge



Fox wedge for comparison



Crude A.J. Aubrey



Even 'crudier' Crescent



Remington 1894

[Eldon Goddard]

I do not know if had a BTFE as it was only a set of barrels for sale. I figured if it was a long range model it was worth picking up.