Remembering the L.C. Smith Field-Grade Shotgun 1937

Step back in time to 1937 with the classic L.C. Smith field-grade shotgun. We’re taking a look at this iconic American-made shotgun, which was popular from the late 19th century up until the 1950’s This will be the first in an ongoing series by Andrew Petty from BTO Range and Training Center

[@BobO-ps1py]

Excellent presentation of the history, and fine points regarding this great American shotgun. I have a 16 gauge featherweight model in great condition, and love it! You can justifiably take pride in owning a shotgun of this quality knowing that it was made in America by skilled American craftsmen!

[@bobbyscott8024]

Have a 16ga. Field grade with 28'' barrels. The lock-up is strong as a vault and they shoot very hard! Great presentation and history!

[@michael506]

What kind of shot do you shoot? Low pressure nitro loads or regular modern ammo? I just bought one. I’d like to shoot it once in a while. I’m worried I’ll blow the barrels.

[@chrisd6567]

My lc smith 12 dosen't have hunter on it anywhere. Mine is field grade all original parts. Looks brand new

[@davewinter2688]

I have a 1905 L.C. Smith O grade 12 gauge. It is full steel, not Damascus or twist barrels. Handles any modern 2&3/4” load with absolutely no problems. Still locks up like a bank vault. Probably not much collector value as before I got it a local gunsmith cut the barrels to 26” and installed Colonial Arms thin walled choke tubes, skeet 1 and skeet 2. Finish is thin but all original. Hell of a pheasant and quail gun. For pheasants I load 1&1/4 oz #7&1/2 oz in the skeet 1 barrel and 1&1/2 oz #5 or 6 in the Skeet 2 which for those who don’t know is improved cylinder. That load is good out to 40 yards on pheasants. If we get into a covey of quail I switch to 1&1/8 oz 7&1/2 or 8 shot. In the Blue Book of Gun Values there is a serial number chart that is broken down into Damascus or full steel barrels and whether outside hammer guns or internal side lock. In some years, guns of both varieties were produced at the same time.

[@russellwylie]

I have an F Quality Smith 16 GA . with outside hammers made 1914. Still a great field gun. Kicks like a mule, but I'm the coolest kid on the block when I break it out

[@user-dx1qe3vt7l]

I have a lefever nitro special 1937 that’s in amazing shape. It was my grandfathers and my dad just gave it to me. There’s nothing I can see on it that would make it unsafe to shoot . The bore is smooth and shiny. The lock up is very tight and there is no perceivable looseness. The barrel is made of steel not Damascus. Is it safe to shoot modern loads in it? I’d love to take it hunting or skeet shooting one day

[@BTORange]

Hard to say. You don't mention gauge. Ithaca used 2 9/16" chambers in 16 gauge until the mid-1930's. 12ga guns were 2 3/4" from the early 1920's. Just to be safe I would have a reputable gunsmith look it over in person and measure the chamber length. Even if all checks out I would avoid shooting anything greater than Dove & Quail type loadings and certainly no steel shot. Just no reason to stress old parts that aren't available anymore.

[@user-dx1qe3vt7l]

@@BTORange thanks for answering man. I really appreciate it. Mine is a 12 gauge. The barrel flats are stamped 2 3/4

[@user-dx1qe3vt7l]

@@BTORange so no buckshot? Lol

[@BTORange]

Ha! Hope not. @@user-dx1qe3vt7l

[@tomhman6441]

I agree they are beauties. Only concern is they are old and it cost a fortune to get old guns fixed. I have a Baker Batavia leader 16 and it’s in need of repair. Not sure if it’s going to be worth the money to repair it. Just a thought.very similar to a LC Smith.

[@BTORange]

Mechanical repair, such as hammer springs, etc, are still reasonable as original parts can still be found and/or made. Wood on the other hand....

[@rjmacreadyoutpost3121]

Thanks for this excellent video! I have a 20ga LC Smith made in 1921 (based on the serial number) that was my grandfather’s. The only cracking i can see is on the forearm and the safety seems a little sloppy. Does BTO do inspections? I’d like to be able to bird hunt with it, but would like to get it checked out first. I live nearby and shoot at BTO off and on.

[@BTORange]

Yes we absolutely do inspections and appraisals.

[@rjmacreadyoutpost3121]

@@BTORange good deal, I’ll bring it in.

[@staceyrotenberger8246]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 16 ga field grade but it fires on and off safety. How hard is it to repair?

[@BTORange]

May be as simple as reassembling the trigger group correctly, or it may be a very complex job depending on which safety system the gun has. I am assuming the actual question is how much would you expec to pay to fix it, and I would imagine between $100-$300.

[@ggibson511960]

I read somewhere that L.C. Smiths have simple intercepting sears and can unintentionally double or worse yet discharge without the trigger being pulled if jarred. True?

[@BTORange]

The LC Smith does not have interrupting sears, which are designed to interrupt the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is deliberately pulled. An Elsie could fire if it is dropped hard enough to either damage the sear or overcome the pressure of the sear spring, or if the parts are worn. So, follow the standard rules of gun safety, dont drop the gun, dont shoot ammunition the gun was never designed for, and have the lockwork inspected for wear or damage. No reason not to hunt with an LC Smith if thr gun is in good condition and the hunter uses common sense.

[@PatrickWilson-v3d]

Gday Sir im from Australia and I certainly appreciate your show . I love my Shotguns however being both free speaking Democracies. It quite is funny the level of Difference between our laws when we view democracy and red the English interpretation. Anyways just a sore spot in Australia humiliation with gun control and laws.. Great to see I’ve subscribed just to get some good quality feedback on these amazing firearms.👌

[@BTORange]

I remember watching all that unfold in 1996. Welcome to the channel!

[@bullcrapitis]

My dad has a L.C. Smith and the barrels are marked "Long Range." Is there anything you can tell me about it, based on that single fact? Thanks in advance.

[@BTORange]

"Long Range" denoted the Wildfowl variant available in various grades. Typically fournd with 32" barrels choked full/full or full/really damn full but I've seen barrels as short as 28" in this variant. Should have 3" chambers.

[@jakemorris9427]

i have an lc smith field gauge in 12 gauge serial starts with fw made in 1928 can you tell me anything about it?

[@BTORange]

With just that little bit of information, not really other than it is a Featherweight.

[@MrBobguy3]

What’s the price range on the LC’s do the ideal grade bring much more than field?

[@BTORange]

It's all about originality, scarcity and condition. 20ga brings more than 12ga for instance. High condition original Field Grade guns in 12ga can bring over $1000 pretty easily. There were several grades, both named such as the Ideal Grade, and numbered grades depending on year of manufacture. Given equal condition, the higher the grade the more the value. It is virtually impossible to evaluate an LC Smith shotgun without at least multiple high quality pictures and even then it would be an approximation. Best to have it in hand.

[@MrBobguy3]

@@BTORange thanks for the good info, are there any good books or online resources? My great grandpa collected American shotguns and there are a few LCs. Any qualified people in NC you know of?

[@jeffmock3032]

Do you have anyone you recommend to restock one?

[@BTORange]

I do. Two actually. Contact Classic Gunstocks (classicgunstocks.com) or Doug Turnbull (turnbullrestoration.com). Either will do the job VERY well but be prepared for the time and $$.

[@jeffmock3032]

Thank you!

[@juancarlosbelletti6335]

Realmente no se que comentario pueda hacer porque no entiendo NADA DE LO QUE DICE PORQUE NO SE INGLESSSSSSS