L.C. Smith Specialty – 34” SINGLE BARREL TRAP, CONDITION!

The Hunter Arms Co. was the maker of the famed L.C. Smith double barreled shotguns from the late 1800’s until the sale of the company to Marlin Arms Company in 1947.  The L.C. Smith guns were built in numbers far greater than their competitors, and their guns have been sought after and coveted by knowledgeable shotgunners for nearly 130 years.  In the early 1900’s the shotgun sport of Trap shooting was growing rapidly, and most of high society paid attention to the tournaments as they became grand social events.  By the late teens the sport was very popular and American gunmakers began making trap specific guns for shooting clay target trap with long single barrels and designed to win events from the 16-yard line to the 27-yard line in handicap events.  Single barrel trap guns were built with great care, as the maker’s name and reputation were made by the notable wins in these highly competitive trap shoots.  The guns were made to pattern and shoot better than most all the guns we have today and were hand tuned before leaving the factory.  This  L.C. Smith Specialty Grade Single Barrel Trap is an excellent example of L.C. Smith’s SBT available in their catalogs from 1917 until the close of business in 1950.  The action is hand engraved with game scenes and scroll, stocks hand checkered well-figured walnut, and all hand fit to build a gun that will stand on the line with modern guns 4 times its cost.  This gun, snS26734 made in 1920 is in remarkable condition, retaining 80% factory case color, 98% factory barrel blue, 95% factory charcoal blue on the trigger guard, and perfect screws and bore.  The barrel is tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face.  The factory’s original wood has been restored, as the original finish had crackled and had begun to peel.  The gun left the factory with a Hawkins recoil pad that was badly deteriorated.  We replaced it with a pliable Hawkins pad so the gun looks just as it did when it left the factory.  The stock dimensions are modern and very shootable.  See the specifications below.  Everything about this gun is amazing for being 104 years old.  THIS IS A VFI CERTIFIED GUN WITH A 90 DAY MECHANICAL WARRANTY.  IT HAS BEEN STRIPPED TO ITS SMALLEST PART, CLEANED IN THE ULTRASONIC CLEANER, EACH PART INSPECTED FOR INTEGRITY AND FUNCTION, PROPERLY LUBRICATED AND REASSEMBLED.  This is a $375 service in our shop.  She is ready for heavy use or casual use without need of repair.  The official L.C. Smith Collectors Association comes with the gun.  They only made a total of 1470 Specialty Grade SBT’s, and only 516 with the most desirable 34” barrel.  To find a pristine, investment quality example is a treasure, and this gun will continue to go up in value as you enjoy its use.  Thanks for looking!