Post Christmas Shoot (December 29, 2011)

On December 29, 2011 forty-five members of the LC Smith Collectors Association gathered bright and early at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay, Pennsylvania for our 7th Annual Post Christmas Shoot, an informal, un-scored event. Afterwards most shooters enjoyed a convivial lunch at the nearby Ballietsville Inn. We also heard Executive Director Frank Finch give a report on club activities anticipated for the New Year ahead.

Tulsa Arms Show (November 12-13, 2011)

The LCSCA exhibit at Wanenamaker’s Tulsa Arms Show on the Tulsa State Fair Grounds featured a comparison between the pre-1913 and post 1913 L.C. Smith shotguns.  Long Range/Wild Fowl shotguns also were shown.  Brad Sloan and his father provided valuable assistance with the exhibit.  We had the factory records at the show and checked over 20 serial numbers.  I did an interview with NRA television about the activities of the LCSCA.  We visited with a lot of LCSCA members and acquired some new members at the “World’s Largest Gun Show.”

Jim Stubbendieck

     EVENT PHOTOS

8th Annual Turkey Shoot (November 5, 2011)

The 2011 L. C. Smith Turkey Shoot at the Prince Georges Trap and Skeet Center was another resounding success.  We couldn’t have ordered a better day.  We had 30 shooters…. all using L C Smith shotguns.  It’s always a thrill to see the beautiful ‘Elsies’ doing what comes naturally to them.   

The High Overall winner was Chuck Brady.    Reverend Charlie Brooks won the trap and 5-stand events.  Mike Harris won the sporting clays event.  Stiff competition was exhibited in all events.   Michael White and Chuck Brady tied Charlie Brooks in 5-stand by hitting 21 of 25 targets, but lost to Charley in the play-off count.  Also, Chuck Brady tied Charlie in trap with 22 of 25 targets, but lost in the play-off count.

Three turkeys were raffled with the winners being Anne Mauro, Milt Fitterman, and John Rau.   Also, two Hunter Arms Company factory bricks were raffled and won by Bill Sank and Gary Dunkelberger.  These bricks were acquired on-site in Fulton, NY, at the recent Hunter Arms Homecoming; brass identifier plates were made for these special artifacts. 

Roger Domer, Event Coordinator

     EVENT PHOTOS

Hunter Arms Company Homecoming
(September 30-October 2, 2011)

As the result of the collaborative efforts of the town of Fulton, Friends of History in Fulton, Pathfinders Rod & Gun, and the L.C. Smith Association members, our participation in the Hunter Arms Homecoming Weekend on September 30th through October 1st, 2011, was a success. A special thanks, Mayor Woodward and the members of the Fulton City Council, for the invitation for us to visit the city, the home of the L.C. Smith shotgun!

Friends of History in Fulton provided a lovely weekend beginning with the opening evening Wine and Hors d’oeuvres at the Pratt Museum, the Saturday morning shoot at Pathfinder R & G, the afternoon Smith gun display at the Pratt Museum. Congratulations to all of the folks who contributed to make the event special, especially from the Friends of History in Fulton. Under your competent leadership of President Paula Rohn, and Event Chairman Sharon Santoro, the weekend event was well organized and a great success! Les Weldin coordinated the shoot, Alec Seymor designed and built the Hunter Arms Gallery, Helen Milam provided administrative support, Richie Beyer organized the shoot and Hunter Estate visit.  The folks at the Pratt Museum and Pathfinder R&G greatly contributed to the successful venue.

L.C. Smith Association members display their collections at the museum. A mayor’s award and Peoples Choice Award for displays were awarded to respectively to Richie Beyer and Bob Trefry. The initial Homecoming concept and groundwork was provided by Bill Winter. The event was a memorable experience to all who attended this wonderful weekend to visit Fulton - the makers of the “Gun that Speaks’ for itself, the L.C. Smith”!

Many local residents visited the Pratt House to view the displays provided by members of the LCSCA.  Jim Stubbiendeck researched production records for 62 local L.C. Smith shotguns and provided their owners with information on manufacturing dates and shipping destinations.  Many of these guns were handed down to the current owners from employees of the Hunter Arms Company.

Also, the gracious hospitality given by Jim Hunter and BJ Wadsworth Rodgers at the Hunter Estate in Sterling Valley to the members of LCSCA added to our joy! L.C. Smith members unearthed bricks from the original factory site and carried them home as mementoes to commemorate the event. 

The Homecoming Awards Banquet was held at the Tavern on the Lock Restaurant. The top shooting awards went to JD Shank and Don Nickerson. Other winners were Jent Mitchel and Tom Salzer. (Details and validation of these reported results to follow as available.)

The festivities ended on Sunday with the Friends of History hosting a chicken BBQ in the Pavilion in Bullhead Point.  This sent all the visitors home full of delicious foods and fond memories of the folks from Fulton! 

     EVENT PHOTOS               SHOOTING RESULTS

15th Annual Vintage Cup (September 22-25, 2011)

Under rainy conditions again this year, the 15th Annual Vintage Cup World Side by Side Championship was held at Pintail Point in Queenstown, MD, September 22 through 25, 2011. The LCSCA designed a club display titled "The Big and the Small" featuring eight bore and .410 Smith shotguns and various L.C. Smith and Hunter Arms advertising memorabilia. The rack of eight bore guns presented by Jim Stahl and Bernie Liberati, consisted of a Quality 2, consecutive number Grade 2s, a Grade 3, and a Grade 4. The rack of .410 guns presented by Frank Finch, consisted of two Field Grades, two Ideal Grades and a Trap Grade. Mary Anne Finch and Jim Stahl created, as well as, helped man the display. Bernie Liberati was chief club display guardian aided by Frank Finch. On Friday, the rain was so heavy that three inches of water run under the club display table for several hours. In spite of the weather, many members and guests stopped to view the display and shoot the various venue events throughout the weekend. Next year's Vintage Cup will be held at Addieville East Farm in Mapleville, RI, September 27 to 30, 2012.

     EVENT PHOTOS

Ohio Gun Collectors Show (July 16-17, 2011)

The LCSCA display drew a lot of attention at the Ohio Gun Collectors Show held July 16-17, 2011 at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH. The display, assembled and manned by Frank Finch, Cliff White, Len Applegate, and Jim Stubbendieck, offered the visitors the opportunity to compare pre-1913 20 gauge (Nos. 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4).  Also on display were a group of exceptional hammerguns (Type I, Type II, Ideal, Trap, Specialty, and AA).  Thanks to Cliff, a rare Hunter Arms Company shotshell box and other memorabilia were on display. Many interested Smith enthusiasts stopped by to ask questions, give comments, and request serial number searches on their guns.

     EVENT PHOTOS

Northeast Side x Side Classic (June 3-5, 2011)

The event at Hausmann's Hidden Hollow Sporting Clays in Friendsville, PA. held June 3-5, 2011 was held with unusual sunny skies except for the several heavy rain showers on Saturday. The weekend offered the "RBL Challenge", the "Bo-Whoop" Trophy Event (The competition is named, after Nash Buckingham's legendary HE Grade Super Fox "Bo-Whoop", that to this day, remains one of the most legendary, long-range, side by sides in existence) and shooting lessons and custom gun fitting with Chris Miller. The venue for the four day event consisted of The Main Event, Hunter Clays and side events of Skeet, Wobble Trap, 5 Strand, Flurry, Tower Shoot and Single Barrel Trap. For the second consecutive year, LCSCA's George Griscom won the "Bo-Whoop" Trophy event by bettering AHFCA's Frank Sebro in a sudden death shoot off. LCSCA's display organized and manned by Frank and assisted by Anne Mitchell and Carol Griscom consisted of a rack of "Straight Grip" 20 gauge guns and a rack of various graded hammer guns. Several Smith members shot and won competition awards. For a weekend of fun shooting, add this event to your shooting calendar for next year.

     EVENT PHOTOS

Southern Side by Side (April 29-May 1, 2011)

In a weekend of great weather, camaraderie, sportsmanship and love of great American side by sides, LCSCA walked away with a split decision at the 8th Annual L.C. Smith vs. Parker Challenge Cup at the Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting School near Sanford, N.C. The Parker Team, lead by Mark Conrad, bettered the Smith Team, lead by Tom Archer, in the Challenge Cup by 4 clay birds (221 to 217/300). Crossover PGCA shooter Don Shumaker was "Top Gun", LC shooter Grant Rosser was "Runner up" and Adam Pickett was "3rd Place" and PGCA shooter Dave Collins "4th Place". The Smith Team continued it's winning streak in the Hammer Challenge by bettering Parker by 6 clay birds (242 to 236/300). Parker shooter John Truitt was "Top Gun" and Smith shooter Dan Christofferson was "2nd Place". Smith shooter Grant Rosser, in addition to shooting a PERFECT SCORE (30/30) in the Challenge Cup, also won both the "Bogardus Award" and "Rippon Cup" with a (76/80) and the "Big Boomer Award" with (48/50). Dan Christofferson won the "Dreu Bowman" award with a (38/50). Rev. Charlie Brooks won the 16 gauge hammer gun event. Club member Alyssa Liles won the Challenge Cup "High Lady" Award". Skip and Chris Dunlap coordinated the attractive club member display.

The Smith vs. Parker Challenge Cup raised $1225 from shooter donations which was donated to "UMC Lee County, NC Tornado Relief Fund.

This event will be held the last weekend of April 2012 and should be added to your "must attend" calendar.

     EVENT PHOTOS

Ninth Annual Spring Shoot (March 21, 2011)

The 9th Annual Spring Shoot at Carlisle Fish & Game on March 21, 2011 was an outstanding success in spite of an early morning downpour. The event was expanded to a half day Sunday and all day Monday. The outstanding event was the result of good planning and hard work by Rev. Charlie, who has raised his club status from super person and shooter to include that of EVENT PLANNER!

Few event highlights are provided for your information with the intent that they will motivate YOU to attend next year.

•     An informal shoot was held Sunday afternoon at Hummelstown Field & Stream.
•     37 attendees attended the group dinner at Hotel Carlisle.
•     8 Shooting Gift Certificates were awarded by Sam & Rhonda Kacyon to dinner
      attendees.
•     Special attendee rates were arranged at Hotel Carlisle.
•     80+ shooters were pre-registered for the Monday shoot.
•     Due to early rain, only 70+ shot on Monday. (highest number of any club shoot)
•     CF&G’s large hall was used for lunch, Spin Wheel sales, RST sales, 6+ tables     of  member gun sales managed by Bob Trefry, a club display of          guns/trophies/club sales items assembled by Frank and plenty of tables for
      member hospitality.
•     At least a half dozen of nice Smiths changed hands and many more were    proudly   shared among members.
•     Cathy Bowman (Spin Wheel Fashions) donated to each shooter a free LCSCA    Tee Shirt.
•     Morris Baker (RST) donated a box of RST shells to each shooter.
•     Morris also donated two wooden ammo boxes which were raffled with proceeds
      going to the LCSCA.

In addition to thanking Rev. Charlie , Cathy and Morris for their generosity and hard work, Marian Brooks, Anne Mitchell and Sylvia Trefry all contributed to success of the day by handling administrative duties and should be given a big "THANK YOU"!

A big "Thank You" to all participants for making the event a great fun filled memorable event.

Perhaps John Bleimaier said it best in his thank you to Rev. Charlie, "The high degree of organization was evident in every detail. I'm looking forward to next year!"

Louisville Gun Show (February 26-27, 2011)

Our club designed and manned a two table display at the Louisville Gun Show held at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center on February 26 & 27 in Louisville, KY. It was titled "Matched Pairs" and consisted of pairs of 12 and 20 gauge guns in A2, Monogram, Eagle, Premier Skeet, Skeet Special and "0" Grades. Memorabilia included the L.C. Smith Collectors Association poster, the Challenge Cup and Hammer Gun Trophies. NRA "Best Educational Award" and several related Southern Side by Side pictures. Club items were also offered for sale. Len Applegate and Frank Finch designed, supplied and manned the booth. Chris Baumohl stopped by to offer assistance on Saturday. There were at least two dozen Smith guns for sale at the show including five highly conditioned guns Ideal Grade Smith guns in 16 and 20 gauges

     EVENT PHOTOS

LCSCA Display at the International Order of St. Hubertus Arms & Art Luncheon (February 1, 2011)

At the invitation of Tom Foscue, Prior of the Southern California Chapter of the International Order Of St. Hubertus, and coordinated by Dean Rasmussen, the L.C. Smith Collectors Association proudly presented “A Collection of Magnificent, Highly Desirable, Collector Quality Smith Target and Upland Game Guns” at their February 1, 2011, Sporting Arms & Art Luncheon at the California Club in Los Angles, CA.

Our club’s L.C. Smith gun display focused on collector guns and the upland game guns used in a pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota this fall. The collector guns included: a .410 Ga, Specialty, 12 Ga. A1, 12 Ga. Premier, 10 Ga. and 16 Ga. Grade 4s, 10 Ga. Pigeon and a 12 Ga. Deluxe. The upland guns were a 20 Ga. Specialty and a 12 Ga. Pigeon surrounded by a one of a kind Pheasant Family Diorama made in the early 1900s and framed photos of the successful South Dakota hunt..

The camaraderie and the gastronomical feast of duck breast and venison medallions made the event worth the travel to the west coast.

     EVENT PHOTOS