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LOT 509
Incredibly Rare Factory Engraved Hunter Arms Co./L.
C. Smith 20 Gauge Monogram Grade “FWOT” Double
Barrel Shotgun with Monogram Steel Barrels - Serial
no. FWE40626, 20 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1921,
this is a very rare L. C. Smith Monogram Grade in the “FWOT”
(featherweight, Hunter One Trigger, Trap) configuration
which is one of just two listed as being built in 20 gauge, and
the only one with 28 inch barrels according to the charts in
Appendix “B” of William Brophy’s “L. C. Smith Shotguns”. The
gun is also one of less than 50 Monogram Grade guns built in
20 gauge total. This is a truly special opportunity to own the
only known example of a particular configuration of one of
America’s most famous shotguns. This information is given in
a set of letters from Walter Schiessl “The L. C. Smith Man” from
his time with the gun in 2000.
Shipped on April 15, 1921, this gun was built with blued steel
barrels featuring a single white bead sight on the matted
concave solid rib which is marked “L. C. SMITH Monogram
GRADE” at the base behind a single gold bar inlay as well as
“MONOGRAM STEEL” and “MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER
ARMS CO. INC. FULTON. N.Y.” marked on the right and left
tubes respectively. According to the included Schiessl letters,
this is the only shotgun that he has ever seen with Monogram
Steel barrels, a point which our records reflect. The barrels
show wedges of scroll engraving at either breech and 2 3/4
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” 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 gun features a selective Hunter One Trigger and a
tang mounted manual safety with a gold inlaid “S” indicator.
The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and fancy fleur-
de-lis checkered splinter forend with engraved forend iron
and an ebony tip inlay as well as a pistol grip stock with hard
rubber grip cap and a serrated buttplate. Included with the
lot is the original factory hang tag.
Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine
inches from the breech .615/.616 inches; choke constriction
.009/.007 inches; minimum wall thickness .023/.027 inches; 1
1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 7/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch
length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 3 oz.
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