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LOT 3541
Scarce L. C. Smith/Hunter Arms
Co. .410 Bore Field Grade Double
Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. FW97755, 410 gauge, 28 inch
solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1927 as one of only 2,375 Field Grades
built as a .410 bore according to page 177 of William Brophy’s
“L. C. Smith Shotguns”. The gun was built with blued Armor Steel
barrels featuring dual bead sights on the matted solid rib, “L.C. SMITH Field
GRADE” and “HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M.F.R.S. FULTON. N.Y., U.S.A.” marked on
the right and left tubes respectively, and chambers measured 3 inches with
extractors. The barrels are fitted to a casehardened sidelock action which
is unadorned aside from “L. C. SMITH” marked on either lockplate. The gun
features double triggers and an automatic tang mounted safety. The gun is
mounted with a lightly figured and multi-point checkered forend and pistol
grip stock with a black hard rubber grip cap and buttplate. Barrel and stock
measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .412/.412
inches; choke constriction .014/.014 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/4
inch drop at heel; 14 inch length of pull; weight 5 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% original blue finish, 90% original casehardened finish, some
minor scattered minor spotting, and light handling evidence. The freshened wood is very good and shows
some varnish loss, some dings and scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3542
Scarce Parker Brothers 16 Gauge DHE Grade Double
Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 206588, 16 gauge, 26 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1924 as one
of just 199 manufactured in this configuration per the chart on page
291 of “The Parker Story” by Gunther, Mullins, Parker, Price, and Cote. The
gun was built with blued steel barrels featuring dual white bead sights on
the matted concave solid rib marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN.
CONN. U.S.A. TITANIC STEEL”, single band of engraving at the breech, and
chambers measured 2 9/16 inches with automatic ejectors. The barrels are
fitted to a casehardened size 0 frame boxlock action which displays DH
Grade engraving consisting of floral scroll work surrounding a trio of game
scenes showing a setter in a field on the right, a nide of pheasants on the
underside, and a pointer in a field on the left. The gun features double
triggers and a tang mounted automatic safety. The gun is fitted with a
beautifully figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved
iron as well as a pistol grip stock with carved drop points, hard rubber grip
cap, blank silver inscription oval, and a Parker dog’s head buttplate. Barrel
and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech
.667/.666 inches; choke constriction .025/.029 inches; minimum wall thickness .030/.029 inches; 1 1/2 inch
drop at comb; 2 7/16 inch drop at heel; 13 1/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 2 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% original blue finish with some thinning at the breeches, 50% case colors in the protected areas with the balance
a fine silver patina, and light handling evidence. The wood shows an added layer of finish, some light dings and scratches, and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "L.C. Smith
Shotguns" by Brophy, only 2,375
L.C. Smith Field Grade Shotguns
were produced in .410 bore.
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Parker Story:
by Gunther, Mullins, Parker,
Price and Cote, only 199 Parker
Bros. DHE Grade shotguns were
produced in this configuration.