Just dipped a toenail into the world of LC Smith

[Malone LaVeigh]

This weekend I was at a gun show after making some money in a cash deal earlier in the day and walked out with a few impulse purchases. I have always wanted a nice SXS for upland game birds and for, well, just having a nice SXS. I stopped by one table and, after picking up a few and feeling the weight and balance, found myself drawn to the LC Smiths. I told the men there I was interested in something that would be a nice shooter, not really interested in collecting, and they pointed me toward one that had obviously been re-finished. It's a post-Hunter Arms 12 ga, so apparently no collecter's value, so the refinish job was not a concern. I liked the weight and balance, the bore looks good, and it seemed very mechanically tight. He was asking $650 and I managed to talk him down to $625 out the door.

Unfortunately, once I got it outside in good light, it is apparent that the blue job was not a very good one. There are a few blotches and some pitting still visible. There is also some rust coming through in a couple of places. Part of the inscription on top of the barrels is rubbed real thin, as if it had to be heavily sanded. I had noticed a small crack in the stock, but I knew those stocks are delicate, and cracks are common. But now I can see that the fit of the stock to the receiver is not perfect.

I have also noticed that I often have to engage the break lever to close it.

Well, I still think it's going to be a fun field gun, but did I get reamed for the price?

 

[Gordon]

You didn't get reamed too bad BUT welcome to the world of Elsies!My relatives swore by them. After inheriting them in my 30s I found everything about them sub par to Continental equivalents, let alone English bird guns. Winchester 21s are a different story though...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Grandad had an Elsie. Cousin has it now. Good shotguns.

A coupla things...

Do NOT drop the hammers without the barrels and forend in place. These will not go back on if you do. Dry firing this is not a great idea anyway.

Elsies are sidelocks rather than the more common in the US boxlocks. This means there's thinner wood at the head of the stock, all else equal. A decent smith can reinforce this area with epoxy if needed.

Speaking of smiths, take it to one before firing the very first shot. Sounds like it's been short on TLC and may also be short in the chamber, thus not for modern ammo.

If he says it's OK, shoot it with light LEAD loads. Not for steel,etc.

Finally, you didn't get ripped off. You bought a good shooter at a good shoote Elsie's price.

Enjoy!!....

 

[hoghunting]

Malone,
One of the problems with the stock is people tended to use too much oil on the action and stand the gun upright on the butt. The oil runs into the stock and weakens the wood right behind the receiver and into the grip. I would take Dave's advice and let a 'smith check it out before shooting.

I just finished restocking a L C Smith Hammer model made in 1913. The oil had soaked into the wood all the way down to the bottom of the pistol grip. The wood was completely unusable right behind the receiver. I also had to buy new parts and repair some existing parts for the action. Now it is a wonderfully balanced 12 ga SxS with exposed hammers that is a joy to shoot. No wonder the old timers liked them. I only use Winchester AA light target loads in it and hope it will last another 93 years.

 

[ready4shtf]

One of the shotguns in my safe is a LC Smith side byside 16ga, w/ internal hammers. I was told it was worth alot, but I dont know how much. Anyone know?

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

Elsie. I like that.

Thanks, y'all, for the advice. I'll be taking it to my good gunsmith in California in a week or two.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Latest issue of Shooting Sportman has a few Elsies for sale in the ads. Cheapest one I noted was $1500 or so.

HTH....

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

A few years ago I asked either here or TFL about Elsies, because I had the remains of a beat-up old project gun I inherited from my father and proceeded to mangle as a teenager. Someone had a link to a site that sold parts. Anyone know such a site? I'm thinking about getting alternate barrels since both on this one are full choke. I can't think of anything I'd be shooting at long enough ranges to need a full choke if I'm going to use light loads. Or is my thinking wrong? Call me Bubba, but the idea just crossed my mind to get a pair with mod chokes and having these cut off to 18 inches for home defense. Or maybe see if I can buy a short pair and then have three for different purposes.

 

[dfaugh]

My friend just inherited 4 guns from her father, that had once belonged to here grandfather, and possibly even his father. She asked me to do and "informal appraisal" to see what they were worth, as well as clean them up (poorly stored for last 30 years) for display purposes, as heirlooms (she doesn't shoot, and doesn't really have any desire to.

Any way, 3 were nothing of any value, and in pretty rough shape....But the 4th... OH MY GOD...It was an Elsie that was heavily engraved (ever SCREW, in addition to every other piece of metal on the gun) and it had this really cool "chain" pattern on the barrels. REALLY nice wood as well. Did some research and found out it was a Model "A-1" which was made from 1892-1898, a TOTAL of 738 produced. This one was from 1898 according to the serial number.

My best shootin' buddy and I spent about 2 hours "fondling" that gun...truly a work of art...The only other A-1 I could find for sale was $18,500.

Do NOT drop the hammers without the barrels and forend in place. These will not go back on if you do. Dry firing this is not a great idea anyway.

P.S. learned this the hard way!!!!!!!!!!!! In order to get them back, you'll have to "re-cock" it. I accidentally pulled the trigger on one barrel with it dissasembled.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Please do not cut off those barrels. If the chokes are too tight one can use spreader loads or have a good smith open them up.

A double gun with 28" barrels is about the OA length of an 18" barrelled 870 or shorter.

In one sense you do not own that Elsie, you are just the caretaker. Treat it kindly and several more generations will get to cherish it.

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

In one sense you do not own that Elsie, you are just the caretaker. Treat it kindly and several more generations will get to cherish it.

Well, I felt that way, too, but the guy that sold it to me said that because it is marked "Hunter Arms", it was not of any interest to collectors. I'll have to pattern it and see what it looks like. If it's tight, I guess I can just learn to shoot better. It has 30 in. barrels.

dfaugh,

Great story. I wonder how many grand old ladies like that are rusting away in closets of people who don't have a clue.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Most are marked "Hunter Arms", Malone. That's who made them.

Try a round or 5 of trap, skeet, and 5 stand. Bet you like it as it is afterwards.

 

[johnmcl]

With Great Interest

Hi all,

With great interest am I reading this thread on Elsies.

Mine is about to make its trap debut later this summer. Mine is from my granddad with an approx 1941 vintage, internal hammers, and a "Field" moniker stamp. I presume that's Field Grade.

It was nicely put that I'm a caretaker and not an owner. I've even seen my 14 year old son eyeing this gun with a gleam in his eye.

John

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

Anyone have a link to anyone that could help me date mine?


Nevermind, found this site. Apparently, mine was made in 1929. I'm lovin' it.