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LOT 466
Upgraded Engraved Hunter Arms Co./L. C. Smith “Monogram Grade” Double
Barrel Shotgun Inscribed to Wilfred
Wright - Serial no. 83163-R, 12 gauge, 32 inch vent rib bbl.,
434
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. According to William Brophy’s
“L.C. Smith Shotguns” there were only 227 Monogram Grade guns in 12
Gauge completed. Built with blued steel barrels featuring dual white
bead sights on the matted flat vent rib which is marked “L. C. SMITH
Monogram GRADE” in gold at the base, “SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS
CO. INC. FULTON. N.Y.” marked on the right and left tubes respectively, wedges of scroll engraving at either breech, “WILD FOWL” marked on the bottom of
the exposed lug, and 3 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a casehardened sidelock action which displays near full coverage
scroll engraving surrounding “L.C. SMITH” inlaid in gold on either lockplate as well as a pair of doves on the left side, a mallard on the underside, and a matching set of doves on the right side. The engraving continues onto the toplever, tangs, and triggerguard, which displays a gold inlaid script “Wilfred Wright”. Wilfred Wright was a British veteran of World War I as well as an engraver and gunsmith who worked for Savage on the A. H. Fox guns and is
recorded as having received a special high grade gun with his name from the factory. The gun features a gold washed Hunter One Trigger and a tang
mounted manual safety with a gold inlaid “S” indicator. The gun is mounted with a beautifully figured and fancy fleur-de-lis checkered splinted forend with engraved fittings and an ebony tip inlay as well as a straight grip stock with serrated buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .726/.725 inches; choke constriction .035/.036 inches; mi
11/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/2 inch drop at heel; 13 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally upgraded, retaining 98% blue finish with some brown coloration near the muzzles, 90% case colors, minor handling evidence, a small crack in the recoil pad spacer, some loss of gold on the trigger and the inscription, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
imum wall thickness .032/.030 inches; 1
n