Last Updated November 6, 2011

L.C. Smith shotguns were manufactured over a period of nearly seven decades by four companies.  Lost is much of the manufacturing chronology.  In general, the annual catalogs tell when certain features were added, but inspection of shotguns has revealed that certain features were added earlier or removed from the lineup later.  For example, there was not a clear end point for the pre-1913 shotguns.  Many were made in 1913 and later.  Likewise, Field, Ideal, and Specialty grade production started in 1912 and these grades are mixed with No. 00, 1, and 2 grades in the ledgers.

One of the primary complications to L.C. Smith chronology is that serial number blocks were reused up to three times.  The L.C. Smith Collectors Association is fortunate to have a copy of the production records which provide dates of manufacture, but many of the features and options are not listed in the ledgers.  Connecting the date of appearance or disappearance of a feature, such as the first type of ejectors or the Curtis forend release, to a date helps to complete the production chronology. 

YOU CAN HELP!  We invite you to look at the categories and submissions.  If you have a shotgun that you think is older than the “Earliest,” newer than the “Latest,” heavier than the “Heaviest”, etc., please send the information to Jim Stubbendieck.  The date of manufacture will be checked in the records (if the record cannot be located, the shotgun cannot be included in the Chronology), and your entry will be posted if it beats the current entry.  Be creative and submit entries for new categories.  Information about your shotguns may help to assemble information on the manufacturing chronology.  This page will be updated weekly.

FEATURES AND OPTIONS:  EARLIEST AND LATEST

Earliest Curtis Forend Release
       Serial Number 337348 (March 8, 1912), 12 gauge No. 00 submitted by Chuck Gernhart.

Earliest Second Type of Ejectors
       Serial Number 2031 (April 3, 1896), 12 gauge Pigeon submitted by David Rosamond.

Earliest Featherweight Frame
        Serial Number 1104 (December 4, 1907), 20 gauge No. 00 aubmitted by Keith Swicewood.

Earliest Two-Piece Top Tang
       Serial Number 37702 (1894), 10 gauge submitted by Ed Onwiler.

Earliest Horizontally Grooved Triggers
        Serial Number 925 (1894), No. A-1 12 gauge submitted by Joe Ray.

Earliest With Miller Trigger
        Serial Number 213404 (March 3, 1911), 12 gauge No. 00E submitted by Chalmers Culbreath.

Earliest With Selective Hunter One-Trigger
      Serial Number 2031 (April 3, 1896), 12 gauge Pigeon submitted by David Rosamond.

Earliest With Nonselective Hunter One-Trigger
        Serial Number 138768 (October 9, 1934), 12 gauge Field Grade submitted by Bill Winter.

Earliest with Infallible Trigger
        Serial Number 331978 (April 19, 1911), 12 gauge No. 0 submitted by Bryndon Steele.

Earliest Single Sighting Plane Rib
        Serial Number 14724 (August 28, 1936), .410 Field Grade submitted by Tom Martin.

Earliest Ventilated Rib
        Serial Number 82683 (June 1, 1925), 12 gauge Eagle Grade submitted by Jim Reid.

Earliest Live Pigeon Shotgun (no safety)
        Serial Number 2198 (June 19, 1896), 12 gauge Pigeon Grade submitted by Larry Ruppert.

Earliest 3-Position Safety
        Serial Number 39573 (1895), 10 gauge Quality 2 submitted by Duane Hauer.

Earliest Straight Stock
         Serial Number 2371 (September 25, 1896), 12 gauge submitted by Duane Hauer.

Earliest Skeleton Butt Plate
        Serial Number 925 (1894), No. A-1 12 gauge submitted by Joe Ray.

Earliest Long Range (3-inch chambers)
         Serial Number 55710 (March 26, 1924), 12 gauge Field Grade submitted by John Johnson.

Earliest Fully Featured (all major options) 20 gauge
         Serial Number 96888 (July 30, 1927), Specialty Grade submitted by Tom Breeden.

Earliest Fully Featured (all major options) 16 gauge
         Serial Number 119591 (June 27, 1929), Specialty Grade submitted by Tom Breeden.

Earliest Beavertail Forend
        Serial Number 13689 (December 17, 1920), 12 gauge Crown Grade submitted by Gerald Basham.

Latest With Convex Ribs on the Bottom of the Frame
        Serial Number 1047 (March 6, 1896), 12 gauge No. 2 submitted by J. David Williamson.

Latest Live Pigeon shotgun (no safety)
        Serial Number 211446 (June 22, 1909), 12 gauge No. 3 submitted by Richard Thompson.

Latest Curtis Forend Release
        Serial Number 21768 (March 10, 1920), 12 gauge Ideal Grade submitted by Frank Hosna.

Latest with Firing Pin Bushings with Brass Retaining Screws
        Serial Number 210907 (March 15, 1909), 12 gauge Pigeon Grade submitted by Tom Martin.

Latest with Damascus Barrels
        Serial Number 355686 (January 27, 1917), 10 gauge Ideal Grade submitted by Tom Salazer.

Latest 3-Position Safety
        Serial Number 124816 (May 12, 1930), 16 gauge Field Grade submitted by Terry Olson.

Latest 2-Screw Trigger Guard
        Serial Number 51354 (November 24, 1922), 12 gauge Ideal Grade submitted by J. David Williamson.

Latest Factory Installed Sling Swivels
        Serial Number 66003 (March 17, 1924), 12 gauge Ideal Grade Long Range submitted by John Chew.

Latest Two-Piece Top Tang
        Serial Number 218500 (July 8, 1915), 12 gauge Specialty Grade submitted by Skip Dunlap.

Latest Long Range (3-inch chambers)
         Serial Number 122807 (August 6, 1929), 12 gauge Field Grade submitted by Peter D'Angelo.

Latest Horizontally Grooved Triggers
         Serial Number 6047 (June 21, 1901), 12 gauge No. 5E submitted by Dick Miller.

GRADES:  EARLIEST AND LATEST

Earliest No. 00
        Serial Number 96881 (1898), submitted by Frank Hosna.

Earliest No. 0
        Serial Number 43626 (1897), 12 gauge submitted by Frank Hosna.

Earliest No. 1
        Serial Number 33896 (1891), 12 gauge submitted by Frank Finch.

Earliest No. 2
        Serial Number 31449 (July 1890), 12 gauge Damascus submitted by Jim Reid.

Earliest No. 3
        Serial Number 39753 (1895), 12 gauge submitted by Walt Pomroy.

Earliest Pigeon Grade
        Serial Number 2032 (April 3, 1896), 12 gauge submitted by David Rosamond.

Earliest No. 4
        Serial Number 37611 (July 29, 1894), 12 gauge Damascus submitted by Phil Carr.

Earliest No. A-1
        Serial Number 923 (August 23, 1893), 12 gauge submitted Norm Growden.

Earliest No. 5
        Serial Number 2126 (April 25, 1896), 16 gauge submitted by Stan Middleton.

Earliest Monogram Grade
        Serial Number 3778 (June 30, 1899), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Bonney.

Earliest No. A-2 First Variation
        Serial Number 582 (1898), 12 gauge, submitted by Bruce Bonney.

Earliest No. A-2 Second Variation
        Serial Number 200450 (February 27, 1903), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Bonney.

Earliest No. A-2 Fourth Variation
        Serial Number 209031 (September 28, 1907), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Bonney.

Earliest No. A-3
        Serial Number 1108 (1894), 12 gauge with Whitworth barrels submitted by Tom Breedon.

Earliest Field Grade
        Serial Number 215263 (October 31, 1912), 12 gauge submitted by Will Sanders.

Earliest Ideal Grade
        Serial Number 215726 (January 28, 1913), 12 gauge submitted by Ben Clinton.

Earliest Trap Grade
        Serial Number 216016 (April 17, 1913), 12 gauge submitted by Dan Branton.

Earliest Skeet Special Grade
        Serial Number 107201 (April 13, 1928, 12 gauge submitted by Tom Carrier.

Earliest Premier Skeet Grade
        Serial Number 54989 (February 24, 1950), 12 gauge submitted by Walt Pomroy.

Earliest Specialty Grade
        Serial Number 214921 (June 27, 1912), 12 gauge submitted by Mike Brinkman.

Earliest Olympic Grade
        Serial Number 137221 (May 27, 1932), 12 gauge submitted by Ed Matter.

Earliest Eagle Grade
        Serial Number 46396 (July 26, 1922), 12 gauge submitted by Walt Pomroy.

Earliest Crown Grade
        Serial Number 7762 (July 15, 1914), 20 gauge submitted by Jon Weber.

Earliest Field Grade (Marlin 1968-71)
        Serial 58721 (1968), 12 gauge submitted by Frank Hosna.

Earliest Deluxe Model (Marlin 1968-71)
        Serial Number 100015 (1971), 12 gauge submitted by Jim Stubbendieck.

Earliest Eagle Grade with a Ventillated Rib
        Serial Number 9903 (March 6, 1925), 12 gauge submitted by Gerald Basham.

Earliest Single Barrel Trap (SBT) With a Compensating Rib
        Serial Number 601 (April 19, 1918), Specialty Grade with pistol grip and banjo escutcheon submitted by Walt Pomroy.

Earliest Specialty Grade SBT
        Serial Number 8942 (March 19, 1919), 34-inch barrel, submitted by Bruce Clumpner.

Earliest Eagle Grade SBT
        Serial Number 2165 (April 7, 1919), 34-inch barrel, submitted by Tom Breeden.

Earliest Crown Grade SBT
        Serial Number 14548 (July 28, 1920), 32-inch barrel, pistol grip, and banjo escutcheon submitted by Tom Breeden.

Earliest .410
        Serial Number

Earliest 20 Gauge
        Serial Number 1104 (December 4, 1907), Field Grade submitted by Keith Swicegood.

Earliest 16 Gauge
        Serial Number 2126 (April 25, 1896), No. 5E submitted by Stan Middleton.

Earliest No. 00 20 Gauge
        Serial Number 1639 (November 10, 1909), submitted by Phil Carr.

Earliest No. 0 20 Gauge
        Serial Number 1135 (December 18, 1907), submitted by Robert Merkel.

Earliest No. 2 20 Gauge
        Serial Number 5365 (December 19, 1908), submitted by Jim Reid.

Earliest 16 Gauge No. A-1
        Serial Number 3195 (April 10, 1899), submitted by Frank Finch.

Latest No. 00
        Serial Number 215277 (December 26, 1912), 12 gauge submitted by Robert Hendricks.

Latest No. 0
        Serial Number 214868 (June 17, 1912), 12 gauge submitted by John Liles.

Latest No. 1
        Serial Number 215038 (August 21, 1912), 12 gauge with fluid steel barrels submitted by Terry Olson.

Latest No. 2
        Serial Number 216962 (January 12, 1914), 12 gauge with Damascus steel barrels submitted by J. David Williamson.

Latest No. 3
        Serial Number 214564 (March 8, 1912), 16 gauge submitted by Dick Miller

Latest Pigeon Grade
        Serial Number 214915 (June 2, 1912), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Bonney

Latest No. 4
        Serial Number.

Latest No. A-1
        Serial Number 7249 (February 7, 1902), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Bonney.

Latest No. 5
        Serial Number 5616 (April 27, 1901), 12 gauge submitted by Walt Pomroy.

Latest No. A-2
        Serial Number 219170 (July 19, 1916), submitted by Phil Carr.

Latest No. A-3
        Serial Number.

Latest Field Grade
        Serial Number 56314 (January 23, 1950), .410 submitted by C.J. Schoon.

Latest Ideal Grade
        Serial Number 47656 (December 14, 1949), 16 gauge submitted by Dick Miller.

Latest Trap Grade
        Serial Number 127418 (December 13, 1929), 12 gauge submitted by Gerald Basham.

Latest Trap Grade Hammergun
        Serial Number 91596 (May 13, 1926), 12 gauge submitted by Gerald Basham.

Latest Skeet Special Grade
        Serial Number 107472 (April 13, 1928), 12 gauge submitted by Dan Branton.

Latest Premier Skeet Grade
        Serial Number 54919 (April 28, 1950), 12 gauge submitted by Keith Swicegood.

Latest Specialty Grade
        Serial Number 206266 (May 21, 1946), 12 gauge submitted by Jim Stubbendieck.

Latest Eagle Grade
        Serial Number 138374 (February 27, 1934), 12 gauge with swamp rib submitted by Skip Dunlap.

Latest Field Grade (Marlin 1968-71)
        Serial 59042, 12 gauge submitted by Frank Hosna.

Latest Specialty Grade SBT
        Serial Number 192160 (August 5, 1941), pistol grip with rectangular escutecheon submitted by Tom Breeden.

Latest No. 00 20 Gauge with 32-Inch Barrels
        Serial Number 6593 (December 12, 1912), submitted by Terry Olson.

Latest 10 Gauge Pigeon
        Serial Number 318687 (June 12, 1907), submitted by Craig Larter.

HEAVIEST AND LIGHTEST

Heaviest L.C Smith shotgun
        Serial Number 91781 (1896), 12 pounds 14 ounces, 8 gauge No. 2 submitted by Jim Stubbendieck.

Lightest L.C Smith shotgun
        Serial Number 31452 (September 9, 1920), 5 pounds 13 ounces, 20 gauge Specialty Grade submitted by Walt Pomroy.

ONE OF A KIND?

Damascus 20 gauge
        Serial Number 14788 (October 21, 1919), Field Grade submitted by Frank Finch.

Swamp Rib
        Serial Number 138374 (February 27, 1934), 20 gauge Eagle Grade submitted by Skip Dunlap.

Skeet Special Grade with 25-inch Barrels
        Serial Number 127942 (February 11, 1930), 12 gauge submitted by Bruce Clumpner.

Eagle Grade with 25-inch Barrels
        Serial Number 73916 (September 2, 1924), 20 gauge submitted by Gerald Basham.

Dissimilar Barrels
        Serial Number 882 (June 1, 1893), No. A-1 12 gauge with a fluid steel and a Damascus barrel submitted by Frank Finch.

10 Gauge Damascus with 3-inch Chambers Stamp (in oval)
        Serial Number 212477 (June 27, 1910), No. 1 with 32-inch barrels submitted by Gerald Basham.

SYRACUSE L.C. SMITH SERIAL NUMBERS

Earliest Quality 2
        Serial Number 16294, 10 gauge submitted by Mark Ouellette.

Earliest Quality 3
        Serial Number 16057, 10 gauge submitted by Frank Cronin.

Earliest Quality 5
        Serial Number 19208, 12 gauge submitted by Skip Dunlap.

Latest Quality 2
        Serial Number 37016, 12 gauge submitted by Rolf Henretty.

Earliest Hammergun
        Serial Number 10046, 10 gauge E, 30-inch stub twist barrels submitted by Chris Uhler.

Latest Hammergun
        Serial Number 26117, 12 gauge F submitted by Frank Hosna.

BAKER - L.C. SMITH MAKER SERIAL NUMBERS

Earliest Three-Barrel Shotgun
        Serial Number 1083, 10 gauge over .44-40 submitted by Randy Scheffel.

Earliest 10 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun
        Serial Number 8685, submitted by Russell Turner.