Offered here is one of about 30 Deluxe Grade side lock shotguns originally built per customer specifications from 1908 to 1946. This example was manufactured in 1926 and is listed by serial number on page 213 of "L. C. Smith Shotguns" by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy. Dual bead sights on a matte vent rib marked "MADE TO ORDER/BY THE/HUNTER ARMS CO INC/FULTON N.Y." followed by "L.C. SMITH De-Luxe Grade" in gold, scroll engraving on the breech and muzzle ends of the barrels and breech end of the rib, relief leaf and twig pattern in contrasting gold on the breech of the barrels, ejectors, 2 3/4 inch chambers and full chokes. The jeweled barrel flats are engraved with the serial number and grade and stamped with the Hunter Arms proof and "NP." The underside of the barrels are stamped with late Whitworth logos. The casehardened action is profusely engraved with exceptional scrolled acanthus and accented with high relief gold inlaid twig, leaf, and grape flourishes. The lock plates have well executed, finely detailed and gold inlaid game bird and hunting scenes. An additional gold relief game bird appears on the trigger plate, and additional gold relief leaf and twig motifs appear on the forearm hardware, trigger guard and break lever. The oak leaf sprig and acorn on trigger guard is especially well done as the cap of the acorn is in contrasting gold. The water table is engraved "C.W. STRIBLEY/FORT MYERS/FLA." and "R-E-87803/DELUXE." The hunter scene on the right side plate could possibly depict Mr. Stribley and his dog. The Hunter one trigger and its engraved selector are plated in gold. The action lacks provision for a safety. The nicely figured pistol grip stock and Schnabel forearm feature very fancy checkering, horn forend insert, antler grip cap with a relief carved "CWS" monogram and vented Hawkins recoil pad. The interior of the forearm hardware is fully engraved along with the patent marking and serial number. Charles W. Stribley of Wisconsin rose from working as a bookkeeper for Oscar Thilmany in 1897 to a member of the Board of Directors of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company in 1902. He remained with the company until his death in 1941. He was also one of the presidents and directors of the Bank of Kaukauna, an inventor, and came up with the process for creating wax paper. His main home is now on the National Register of Historic Places. His winter home, Casa Rio, in Fort Myer is the next property south of the adjoining vacation homes of close friends Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. That home is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The Stribleys also became friends with the Edisons and Fords. For example, his wife worked with Mrs. Edison in the garden club, and one of her recipes was recorded by Clara Ford. The sea wall around his home was built using the first steam dredge which was named the C.W. Stribley by the designer and his personal friend J.L. Lofton. The Stribleys were also award winning shooters in the local Northeastern Wisconsin league and regularly appeared in newspaper articles in Wisconsin about regional tournaments. She was the only woman competing at some of the events. Stock and barrel measurements: bore diameter at 9 inches from breech R-.727/L-.726; bore constriction R-.035(full)/L-.032(full); minimum wall thickness R-.029/L-.028; drop at comb 1 3/8 inches; drop at heel 1 7/8 inches; length of pull 14 3/4 inches.

Very fine. The barrels retain nearly all of the professional refinished blue showing light muzzle wear. 70% plus original case colors remain on the action, and 90% original blue remains on the trigger guard. The gold plating is worn on the face of the trigger and slightly worn on the selector. The very fine wood shows minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. This is possibly the finest L. C. Smith to ever come through Rock Island Auction, don't miss your opportunity