"The Gun That Speaks for Itself"

 
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
   by Dr. Drew Hause and Dr. Bill Hambidge

 

What does the LLH stamped on the barrels of my L.C. Smith shotgun mean?

This is a 1948 .410 Ideal Grade with 'Belgium LLH' on the right barrel over-stamped with 'London Steel.'

 

 

Halcomb Steel Co. opened in 1905 and supplied London steel for 0 grades and Royal steel for the hammer guns starting in 1907. London Steel was also used on the post-1913 Ideal and Skeet Special. Crucible Steel Co. bought Sanderson Bros in 1900, and Halcomb in 1911. Parker Peerless steel may have come from Crucible also. Sanderson Bros. (then later Crucible) purchased steel barrels from Laurent Lochet-Habran and the barrels may still have the 'LLH' trade mark after the final fit & finish. 'LLH' is found on Smith, Hunter Arms Fulton "Ranger" for Sears guns, Lefever, Fox, Baker (especially around 1907 and later Folsom guns), and Ithaca (especially the Lefever Nitro Special).  Baker guns may be marked "Nitro Rolled Steel" and "Fluid Temper Steel."

 

 


 
For more information on Laurent Lochet-Habran and Belgium LLH