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LOT 1617
Very Rare L.C. Smith/Hunter Arms Special Order Long Range Monogram Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Hunter One Trigger - Serial no. R-E-85316, 12 gauge, 32 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1925, this
is one of only 158 Monogram Grade shotguns built from 1913 to 1945 with fluid steel barrels. Listed by serial number in “L.C. Smith The Legend Lives” by Houchins, this gun was shipped from the factory on September 3, 1925. As a special order gun, Hunter Arms would accommodate any special request on the Monogram grades. This gun was special ordered as a Long Range Wild Fowl with automatic ejectors and Hunter One trigger. The Long Range Wild Fowl model was introduced in 1924 in all grades to take advantage
round knob pistol
grip stock feature
fancy checkering,
ebony forend insert,
engraved forearm
hardware and vented
recoil pad. Barrel and
stock measurements:
bore diameter at 9 inches
from breech .731/.733 inch; bore
of the better powders of the day with a 3 inch chamber, heavier frame, and reinforced barrels around the forend lug and only available in 12 gauge with 32 inch barrels. Single bead sight on a concave matte solid rib with gold band and “L.C. SMITH Monogram GRADE” marking near the breech, “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL/ MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. FULTON, N.Y.” on the right and left barrels respectively, jeweled barrel flats, 3 inch chambers, full chokes and ejectors. The receiver and side plate feature fine engraved scrollwork accented with floral blossoms. Pigeons are engraved on each side plate and a duck adorns the underside of the receiver. “LONG RANGE” surround by scrollwork is engraved on bottom of the barrel lug. The action is fitted with a Hunter One selective single trigger and a manual tang safety. The letter “M” for Monogram Grade appears below the receiver serial number. The barrels, forearm hardware and lower tang are numbered to the gun. The attractive grain forearm and
constriction .041(full)/.043(full); minimum wall
thickness .027/.025 inch; drop at comb 1 3/4 inches, drop at
heel 2 1/2 inches, length of pull 14 3/4 inches.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrels retain 95% plus of the refinished blue mixed with minor thinning. The action retains 98% original case colors. The vast majority of the bright original blue finish remains on the trigger guard. The wood is also very fine with a couple short hairline stress cracks near the side plates, scattered minor handling evidence and crisp checkering overall. The buttplate has hardened. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Robert E. Petersen Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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