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According to "L.C. Smith Shotguns" by Brophy, only 23 L.C. Smith Monogram Grade shotguns in 16 gauge were produced.
LOT 472
Upgraded Engraved and
Gold Inlaid Hunter Arms Co./L.
C. Smith 16 Gauge “Monogram Grade” Double
Barrel Shotgun Inscribed to William Wagner - Serial
no. FWE70483, 16 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. According to William Brophy’s “L.C.
Smith Shotguns” there were only 23 Monogram Grade guns in 16 gauge completed.
Built with blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted concave solid rib
which is marked “L. C. SMITH Monogram GRADE” 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, and 2 1/2 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 “William Wagner”. William Wagner was a prominent owner of a sporting good shop in Washington, D.C., in the early 20th century and a proponent of small bore guns, namely 28 gauge Parker Brothers gun. The gun features double triggers and a tang mounted automatic safety
with a gold inlaid “S” indicator. The gun is mounted with a beautifully figured and fancy fleur-de-lis checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and an ebony tip inlay as well as a pistol grip stock with black grip cap and a serrated buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .658/.658 inches; choke constriction .011/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .037/.039 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 9/16 inch drop at heel; 13 15/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally upgraded, retaining 99% blue, casehardened, and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, a few scratches in the wood at the left rear of the stock, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 473
Factory Engraved A. H. Fox 16 Gauge DE Grade Double Barrel
Shotgun Two Barrel Set - Serial no. 302028, 16 gauge, 30 inch
solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1924 and built
with blued barrels featuring a single steel bead sight on the matted, concave solid rib,
marked “CHROMOX FLUID STEEL” and “MADE BY A. H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.” on the right and left
respectively, and chambers marked 2 3/4 inch with automatic ejectors. The barrels also show 2 inch wedges of floral
scroll engraving at either breech and scrollwork on the rib extension. The casehardened boxlock action displays highly
attractive DE Grade engraving consisting of floral scrollwork surrounding “ANSLEY H. FOX” banners on either side as well as three separate game scenes consisting of a pair of woodcock in flight on the left, a setter on point on the underside, and a pair of quail in flight
on the right. The gun features a single selective trigger and tang mounted automatic safety switch with gold inlaid “SAFE”. The gun is mounted with a beautifully figured and fancy checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings, Deeley latch release, and ebony tip inlay as well as a round knob pistol grip stock with a rubber recoil pad. Included is an added second matching numbered
28 inch 20 gauge barrel set with its own beavertail forend. Barrel measurements for the extra set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .622/.622 inches; choke constriction .021/.031 inches; minimum
wall thickness .028/.025 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .664/.663 inches; choke constriction .017/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.024 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 14 3/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 7 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, possibly by Savage, retaining 99% blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence, a few dings and scratches on the stock, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The extra barrel set is also very fine with a green hue to the blue.
Estimate: 8,000 - 13,000
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