![]() ![]() The top of the right barrel was marked: HUNTER ARMS CO.-MAKERS-FULTON, N.Y. The lock plates were not engraved but were stamped "L.C. 00 was available with Armour (catalog spelling) Steel barrels only. This number nearly equals the total number of all of the other grades produced during this period. English walnut stock half pistol grip checkered and well finished. The new Armour Steel barrels are plain, but will stand the severest strain of nitro powder. The catalog (1900) said: "A thoroughly reliable gun at a price within the reach of all. Gun is in nice shape.It has the auto ejectors. Bluing on the barrel is 80% if not better, Matching Serial number barrel and receiver. Do use low pressure ammo, Also, one this old probably has short chambers.For sale is a over 100 year old LC Smith !2ga hammerless Double Barrel Grade 00. Unless, you're willing to let your smith decide if it's safe. The $300 price here shows the shop knows the probs. The cheapest LC with steel barrels I've seen recently was priced at $900, a field grade with finish issues. Modern shotgun ammo and grenades have similar working pressures. Even Twist barrels in good condition let go, usually about where the forward hand is. Accumulated weaknesses in the welds are not the only problem, the pressure curves in modern ammo differ greatly from the ammo these were designed for. Others destroy their shotguns and damage themselves. Re Damascus, some folks shoot these with no probs for decades. Even the field grades have graceful lines. They are reliable,effective, durable and look good. The shotguns are revered for good reason. Smith went on to make typewriters, Smith Corona for instance. Top quality American shotguns, one of the few brands that used sidelocks instead of the more common boxlock actions.Īfter selling hs shotgun company to Hunter arms of FUlton,NY. ( And DO NOT pull the triggers with the barrels off the gun!) Or just buy it 'cause it looks cool and is a part of American craftsmanship that has all but disappeared. Use black powder loads or low pressure "Reduced Recoil" loads and do not expect the gun to shoot several hundred rounds a day and it will probably be OK. If the gun has been maintained and shows no pitting or rust on/in the barrels it is probably safe to shoot. L C Smith guns were not cheep, they were well made and designed for several lifetimes of rough use. The guns he tested stood up, even though many were over a century old and not in the best condition.ĭamascus got a bad rep because many cheep imported guns from the early part of the century were poorly made and rusted easily. Most of the guns he used were american made doubles, including at least one L C Smith, and the results were quite astounding. The quarterly publication "Double Gun Journal" had a series of articles over the last few years from a gentleman who attempted to destroy damascus barrels using high pressure loads. Many Damascus guns are still shooting over there. ![]() The British are required by law to proof test guns before they are re sold. ![]() If you have the money you can have the barrels proof tested, if they do not rupture under proof they will be safe for modern loads. However these tubes add weight to the front of the gun and alter handling. You can also get sub gauge tubes that fit inside the 12 ga tubes that will allow you to shoot 20/28/410. He should be able to tell you if the barrels are still safe to shoot. Have a gunsmith who is knowledgeable about double guns check it out. Damascus was made for black powder loads. However you should use light loads in the gun if you decide to shoot it. ![]() Damascus barrels are not the danger they are often made out to be. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |