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  • /Lot 3412

Lot 3412:U.S. Shipped WWII L. C. Smith/Hunter Arms Shotgun with Letter

May 19th, 2024|Bedford, TX
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  • /Lot 3412

Lot 3412:U.S. Shipped WWII L. C. Smith/Hunter Arms Shotgun with Letter

May 19th, 2024|Bedford, TX
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Estimated Price$3,500 - $5,500
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Very Scarce Documented U.S. Inspected and Shipped World War II L. C. Smith/Hunter Arms Co. Field Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Factory Letter

The right barrel flat is stamped with an ordnance flaming bomb, and this shotgun is accompanied by a Hunter Arms Co. factory letter that confirms its current configuration as a regular weight 12 gauge Field Grade with 32 inch barrels when finished on September 8, 1942 and shipped to the Rochester Ordnance Depot in New York on December 5, 1942 as part of order number 52738. The letter further states "It was not recorded as a Wild Fowl or Long Range shotgun but that was not uncommon for military shotguns." The barrel lug is marked "WILD FOWL" on bottom. These U.S. inspected L. C. Smith Field Grades were used for training aerial gunners on how to lead targets during World War II. Rochester Ordnance ordered these double barrel shotguns between May 9th, 1942 to April 9th, 1943, in the 197321-202813 serial range. Reference page 203 of William Brophy's "L. C. Smith Shotguns". The factory letter states, "Three hundred and twenty-two of the 1,512 Field Grades sold to Rochester Ordnance had 32-inch barrels." Blued Armor steel barrels with dual bead sights, "L.C. SMITH field GRADE" and "HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M'F'R'S FULTON, N.Y., U.S.A" marked on top of the barrels. Standard casehardened receiver and locks, double triggers, and automatic tang safety. Multi-point checkered splinter forend and pistol grip stock with hard rubber buttplate. Chambers measure 2 3/4" with single extractor, chokes measure improved modified/full, and 14 inch length of pull.

ConditionVery fine, retains 80% original blue finish on the barrels with a few areas lightly thinning and smooth brown patina on the balance, and 70% muted original case colors with some areas of scattered minor surface freckling. Wood is also very fine, with crisp checkering, a few small chips behind the left lock, a few light handling marks, a chipped section at the toe of the buttplate, and distinct edges and checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Details
ManufacturerHunter Arms Company
ModelField
TypeShotgun
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Long Gun
Caliber / Gauge12
Barrel32 inch solid rib
Finishblue/casehardened
Stockwalnut

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views1981
Catalog page237
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