Rare double alert: 16g L.C. Smith 2E, straight grip, double triggers…

L.C. Smith No. 2 Grade, pic courtesy The L.C. Smith Collector's Association
L.C. Smith No. 2 Grade, pic courtesy The L.C. Smith Collector’s Association

Every gun nut has THE shotgun they’re trying to find. For a friend of mine, it’s 2o gauge Lindner-made Charles Daly with damascus barrels. Another guy I know is searching everywhere for an all original, color-case hardened Belgian-made 20g sidelock with 28″+ tubes.

My holy-grail used to be a 16 gauge L.C. Smith No.2 with a straight grip and double triggers. I spent years trying to track one down. When you look at the gunmaker’s production numbers, it’s easy to see why.

L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun

According to the L.C. Smith Collector’s Association, the folks in Fulton made just seven-hundred and ninety-three 16-gauge No. 2s. I bet at least 90% of these had pistol grips, and that’s why one with this configuration are easy hard to find (I’ve owned at least 3).

But swap in a straight grip, ask for double triggers, and now you’ve got a tough gun to track down. L.C. Smith probably set up fewer than thirty 16g No. 2s like this, and I’ve spent a decade looking for one.

L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun

In the past few month — bang! — two of them have popped up on the market. When I found the first one, I shocked by the condition – 90%+ all original – and stunned by the price – $8,0000. This one has less of that condition, but the price  is still steep. Of course, it may be the last one you every see:

16 gauge L.C. Smith 2E with an original straight grip and double triggers: Nice, original condition LC Smith 16 GA, grade 2E.  28″ barrels choked .021 modified right and .032 left.  Both bores are .661.  Barrels retain 75-80% original blue.  Engraving is sharp and clear, original case color remains at 50% or so.  Straight hand stock with splinter fore-end.  Checkering is sharp and un-damaged.  Butt stock has an extension added that is so good that is hard to see.(see photos).  LOP is 14 7/8″ to a 1/2″ pad.  DAC 1 5/8, DAH 2 3/4, Cast is neutral.   Mechanically perfect, this one is ready for some action in the field or on the range.  Price: $5,495.00

L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun
L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun

This week’s good guns: powered by Gunsinternational.com…

Browning Superposed - P3U - 20ga - Superlight - 2 Bbl Set - 3 Piece Forearm
Browning Superposed – P3U – 20ga – Superlight – 2 Bbl Set – 3 Piece Forearm

Browning Superposed – P3U – 20ga – Superlight – 2 Bbl Set – 3 Piece Forearms – Checkered Butt – Oil Finish: 1977 – Browning Superposed Presentation 3U Grade (P3U) Superlight – 2 Barrel Set – 20ga 26-1/2”, IC / M and 26-1/2” F / F, Tapered Ribs, Three Piece Schnabel Forearms, Oil Finished Wood, Checkered Butt, English Stock, LOP 14-3/8″, Drop 1-3/8” x 2-1/8”, Weight 6 lbs. 2 oz. Price: $26,900.00

LEBEAU COURALLY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SXS 20 GAUGE
LEBEAU COURALLY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SXS 20 GAUGE

LEBEAU COURALLY SIDELOCK EJECTOR SXS 20 GAUGE: 26 3/4″ BARRELS 013 AND 023 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT NEAR NEW CONDITION 5LBS 10 OZ X 2 5/16 X 1 1/2 X 15. Price: $22,500.00

BERETTA 1964 ASEL 20- THE PROPER SIZE 20 GAME GUN- NEAR EXHIBITION WOOD by BILL McGUIRE- 27 1/2″ BOEHLER ANTINIT Bbls:  #31186, Beretta O/U Model ASEL 20 Bore Made in 1964 & Then Stocked by Master Stockmaker Mr. Bill McGuire with Exhibition Wood, It has 27 1/2″ Matted Vent Rib Boehler Antinit Steel barrels with top bite cross bolt lugs at .626 .011 & .025″ (Skt.II & Full), 2 3/4″ chambers, Correct factory bores and chokes as it left the factory in 1964, 1.185 KG weight barrels, Single non-selective trigger, Scalloped frame, Game forend, Straight hand stock at 14 3/8 x 1 3/8 x 2 1/8″ over a 9/16″ pad & can go 14 7/8″ with a 1″ pad, Neutral stock for the right or left hand; It is trim, slim and superb balance at 6 lbs. 2 oz., 95% coverage of scroll with light floral that is cut on a scalloped frame, The gun retains 99% of fresh rust blue, The frame has a soft patina at 98%, The wood is at 98%, The recessed fleur-de-lis checkering at 100%, The bores are excellent plus; A complete restock by Master Stockmaker Mr. Bill McGuire. The ASE/ASEL Model Beretta is the best Boxlock they ever produced and it will never be again at anywhere near this price. Price: $8,450.00

BERETTA 1964 ASEL 20- THE PROPER SIZE 20 GAME GUN- NEAR EXHIBITION WOOD by BILL McGUIRE- 27 1/2" BOEHLER ANTINIT Bbls
BERETTA 1964 ASEL 20- THE PROPER SIZE 20 GAME GUN- NEAR EXHIBITION WOOD by BILL McGUIRE- 27 1/2″ BOEHLER ANTINIT Bbls
Ithaca (NID) 3 1/2 Mag 2E 10 ga:
Ithaca (NID) 3 1/2 Mag 2E 10 ga:

Ithaca (NID) 3 1/2 Mag 2E 10 ga: 3 1/2 Mag, Model 2E, Action SxS, Barrel Chamber 3 1/2 in, Barrel Length 32 in, Barrel Chokes .040 – .041, Barrel Rib Type Solid Rib, Drop At Comb 1 1/2 in, Drop At Heel 2 1/2 in, Gauge 10 ga, Grip Capped Semi Pistol Grip, Ejectors Yes, Forend Splinter, LOP 14 in over a Pad, Pad Thickness 1 in, Serial Number 500XXX, Shotgun Type SxS, Trigger Double Triggers, Type of Butt White Line Pad, Weight 11 lbs 2 ozs. Price: $ 7,950

HIGH QUALITY 16 GAUGE DOUBLE BBL HAMMER FRENCH MADE SHOTGUN
HIGH QUALITY 16 GAUGE DOUBLE BBL HAMMER FRENCH MADE SHOTGUN

HIGH QUALITY 16 GAUGE DOUBLE BBL HAMMER FRENCH MADE SHOTGUN: 28″ bbls choked full and modified, some pitting in both bbls, exterior finish is quite nice with a considerable amount of Damascus pattern showing. Back action locks have vivid case colors present, orig nicely grained wood shows a considerable amount of orig varnish, some wear to the checkering, 13″ pull, underlever opener, steel buttplate. Nice, clean and quite an attractive little gun. Price: $1,650.