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Extremely Rare Documented Factory Engraved Gold Inlaid L.C. Smith Hunter Arms Premier Grade Hammerle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
Extremely Rare Documented Factory Engraved Gold Inlaid L.C. Smith Hunter Arms Premier Grade Hammerle
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Estimate: $50000 - 80000
Manufacturer: Smith L C Model: Premier Skeet Grade
Manufactured in 1930. This is a very nice example of 1 of only 28 L.C. Smith/Hunter Arms Premier Grade shotguns ever manufactured. This shotgun serial number 126002 is specifically listed with the other 27 Premier Grades made on page 536 of "L.C. Smith "The Legend Lives"" by John Houchins. The information listed for this shotgun is Type "REOBV" 12 gauge 32 inch barrel and it was shipped on May 7, 1930. Double ivory bead sights on the matte vent rib, 2 7/8 inch chambers, choked full/extra full with ejectors. 2 1/8 inches of the breech end of the rib are engraved with floral scroll designs with "L.C. SMITH Premier GRADE" marked in the center and a thin gold inlaid band at the front of the panel. There is a small wedge of floral scroll engraving on the top of the barrels at the breech and a 2 inch wedge on the sides with a gold inlaid wire accent. There is a small wedge of the same engraving pattern on the muzzle end sides. The top rear of the right barrel is marked "SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" and "MADE TO ORDER BY THE HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. FULTON, N.Y." on the left. The action, side plates, trigger guard, break lever and forearm hardware are engraved with floral scroll designs with a gold inlaid relief hunting dog on each side plate, a gold inlaid relief pigeon on the front of the trigger guard plate, gold inlaid relief clump of grapes on the fences and gold inlaid initials "F/W/W" on the trigger guard. Single trigger with gold inlaid "L" and "R" for the selector, tang mounted safety with gold "S" and mounted with a Wenig custom high gloss Fleur-de-Lis checkered walnut forearm and round knob pistol grip stock a solid recoil pad with a with a leather butt. The inside of the forearm release assembly is engraved with floral scroll designs and marked "EJECTOR PAT/serial number/MAY 28 1901". Shotgun measurements: drop at comb 1 1/4 inches, drop at heel 1 3/4 inches, cast zero, toe zero, Length of pull 14 3/8 inches, bore .727 and wall thickness .047. Comes with advertisement from Wenig Custom Gunstocks, Inc. with a picture of this shotgun on the cover and Reinhart Fagen Inc. showing this shotgun on the cover being checkered. The finished product of this shotgun is also pictured on the inside back cover (second from the bottom).
BBL: 32 inch vent rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 126002
Condition:
Very fine as partially period refinished, the barrels and trigger guard, and custom stocked. The barrels and trigger guard retain 99% blue finish with a few light handling/storage marks. The action and side plates show traces of muted original case colors, mainly in the protected areas, with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The Wenig Custom wood is near mint with only a couple minor dings, light handling marks and sharp checkering. The markings and engraving are clear. Mechanically fine. With only 28 of these Premier Grade shotguns ever made you may wait decades before another comes up for public sale. A super addition to any high end shotgun or sporting arms collection.