^Lot 2231 RARE 20 GA. CROWN GRADE L.C. SMITH W/2SETS OF VENT

RIB BARRELS. Cal. 20 Ga. 2-5/8". S# FWE 136017 (1931). This lovely high condition gun is one of only 170 20 gauge crown grade guns produced. It has 2 sets of 28" barrels fitted with raised matted ventilated ribs. Barrels differ in that set "1" is choked mod and full, while set "2" is full and full. Both sets with matching S#'s are engraved "L.C. Smith CROWN Grade" on tops of right barrels and "MADE TO ORDER BY THE Hunter Arms Co Inc Fulton N.Y." on lefts. Barrel flats are stamped with S#s, "C", Hunter proofs and chamber length (2-1/2"). Splinters are reinforced with one loop numbered "2" with matching number on iron and wood of splinter forend. Case hardened small size L.C. Smith action with non-automatic safety and "Hunter One Trigger" is engraved in usual crown style with about 60% coverage floral accented scroll surrounding etched oval scenes of two dogs on lockplates with setter on left and pointers on right. Top lever is gold inlaid with a crown. Blued trigger guard has central monogram on bow with initials "CWK". S# is on short tang. Later, exceptionally well made and correctly styled straight grip buttstock made of dense well marbled and lightly fiddle figured European walnut measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt and features nicely cut point pattern checkering at grip and a silver oval on toeline engraved "R.H.K.", (possibly the son of "CWK" as found on trigger guard). Each barrel set has its own dedicated forend with barrel set "1" having braced full schnabled beavertail with iron scroll engraved and with engraved patent dates. Set "2" has splinter forend, iron with line borders and S# without "FWE". Both forends attach with "J" spring and secondary knurled button in oval escutcheons. MEASUREMENTS: Set "1" BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .621. R .620. Restriction: L .015 (mod). R .027 (full). Wall thickness: L .023. R .023. STOCK: DAH: 1-5/8"+. DAC: 1-1/4". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14-1/2". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 11.5 oz. Set "2" BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .625. R .625. Restriction: L .031 (full). R .032 (full). Wall thickness: L .027. R .022 (3" area at top otherwise .027). STOCK: DAH: 1-3/4". DAC: 1-1/4". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14-1/2". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 8 oz. CONDITION: exceptionally fine as correctly refurbished. Both barrel sets retain nearly all of a very professional re-black. Action retains about 50-60% case hardening color silvered on high edges and around bottom from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain nearly all of their original color with some fading and silvering noted on right plate. Top lever is considerable silvered on thumb piece. Trigger guard has very strong original blue on bow and cold blue on straightened tang. Exceptionally well made replacement buttstock (no S# under tang) retains nearly all of its original hand rubbed oil finish with some minor marks and light scratches. Most original finish remains on forends. All checkering shows light wear. Splinter checkering refreshed over some marks and dents. Bores are bright and shiny with some light frosting / leading ? noted toward muzzles of barrel set "2". Action is tight. Mechanically good. (25-7011/MGM). CURIO. $10,000-20,000.