L.C. Smith Grade 2 12 Gauge – 1905, ENGLISH STOCK, HIGH CONDITION

My collection consists mostly of Fox guns and pre-1913 L.C. Smiths.  I love the early Elsie graded guns with superior fit and finish and classic engraving.  The early guns had firing pin bushings, finer sculpting of the frame, more attention to details, nicer wood and checkering, and better inletting.  This fine Elsie, sn305607 built in 1905, is very special.  It is one of only ABOUT 1100 Grade 2 guns made in 12ga. with English style stock.  It was built during the Golden Age of the American side x side before the advent of pump guns and auto loaders, a time when makers put out their best guns, spending the extra time in the engraving, checkering and wood quality.  The delicate scroll and game scene vignettes on each lock plate shows the Grade 2  as the first of graded guns with game scene engraving and pretty French walnut wood.  THE WOOD IS EXTRAORDINARY FOR A GRADE 2 GUN.  Most Grade 2 guns are worn, having bad screws, cut off stocks, rust and pits…lots of issues.  This gun superb wood to metal fit, excellent screws, no cracks or rust anywhere.  The previous owner had a professional restoration done to the gun, with Turnbull case color and blue, and gorgeous Tru Oil finish.  THIS IS A VFI CERTIFIED GUN WITH A 90-DAY MECHANICAL WARRANTY (a $350 service).  The mechanics have all been stripped, Ultrasonic cleaned, inspected, properly lubricated, and reassembled guaranteeing the next owner a gun that will provide the service and pride of ownership his good money deserves.  The barrels are excellent inside and out, with 2 ¾” chambers and 1 ½” tapered forcing cones set up for modern ammunition, softer recoil, and better patterns.  The barrels are tight on hinge and breech face like a new gun with the top lever well right of center.  This gun has it all, and you don’t have to wait a year or more to have it restored to perfection, as it has already been done, and there are no additional expenses you will have to endure.  Look the photos over closely.  This is an awesome gun, weighing just 7 ¼ pounds and balanced right on the hinge pin…about the perfect pheasant gun, and would be an incredible sporting clays gun as well.  You hardly ever see pre-1913 graded guns for sale, and they are very sought after.  A great opportunity to have an excellent, investment quality example of what a L.C. looked like straight out of the box.  See the specifications below.  Thanks for looking.