Shotgun help.

[SkyPirate]

I found this double barrel shotgun action today. I cleaned it up a bit and found some numbers on it. What I found out is it is probably made in 1908. If anybody know anything else I would love to hear it. Thanks for your help.

In front of the firing pins where the barrel would sit are these numbers:

1 5 8 6 5 3
F

On the sides I can barely make out:

L C SMITH

 

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[Old Town]

L C Smith is the maker. They were an American maker of working-grade double guns more than a hundred years ago. I don't know when they went out of business. Your receiver has exposed hammers that went out of style (mostly) by 1900.

This maker is somewhat collectible today if you have a good example in one piece, stocks and all. No idea on values.

OT

 

[DigginThePast]

Yup, what OT said.

 

[creskol]

serial number dates to 1908

 

[Old Town]

Skypirate did you dig it out of the ground or find it in a barn? I was wondering if you know of the barrels and fore stock hardware.

 

[SkyPirate]

Skypirate did you dig it out of the ground or find it in a barn? I was wondering if you know of the barrels and fore stock hardware.

Dug it out from under a huge Juniper bush. I cleaned it with a brush and some steel wool.

 

[Old Town]

For some reason this makes it better. (digging it up) Who throws a gun part like this away? Or loses one? Interesting find. Maybe more parts around? But I'm sure you probably made at least a quick sweep.

 

[TxTim]

L.C. Smith has been around since the 1800's (Syracuse, NY), and evolved into Marlin. They also made typewriters.
Here's a pic of my 1880's 10 guage:

 

[Old Town]

L.C. Smith has been around since the 1800's (Syracuse, NY), and evolved into Marlin. They also made typewriters.
Here's a pic of my 1880's 10 guage:

Good post and nice photo. Once you fire twice you go to the saber.

 

[aa battery]

 

[Monty]

These shotguns were the working mans gun of the time. They were reasonably priced and well made. My grandfather use to have one he kept propped up in the closet in case of trouble. He bought it some time just before the depression era of our history. I was supposed to get it when he passed away but I was out of the country in the Air Force when he died. A drunken uncle stole it and pawned it somewhere before I ever had a chance to reclaim it. Monty

 

[warsawdaddy]

These shotguns were the working mans gun of the time. They were reasonably priced and well made. My grandfather use to have one he kept propped up in the closet in case of trouble. He bought it some time just before the depression era of our history. I was supposed to get it when he passed away but I was out of the country in the Air Force when he died. A drunken uncle stole it and pawned it somewhere before I ever had a chance to reclaim it. Monty

Monty,we have some of the same history and results.My grandmother who raised me had my g'g'g'father's two shotguns and his 1851 Navy Colt,that he carried on the Santa Fe trail and Civil War, in the back closet.She kept boarders to help with income and I was away also when she passed.No one knows what happened to the guns.She also had a pistol,smaller than a derringer,made for her by Buntline,he even had special bullets made for it.It too disappeared.

 

[baspinall]

Here is a good website on L C Smith.

http://www.lcsmith.org/shotguns/history.html

Brian