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Hunter Arms proof tested their barrels in house and the statement “All L.C. Smith guns are guaranteed to shoot any Nitro Powder made” appeared in advertisements as early as 1894. The L.C. Smith listing in the 1908 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue No. 117 included “Bored For Nitro Powder” (both Armor and Damascus barrels) and the Notice “All our guns are tested with heavy loads and cannot burst except by carelessness, obstruction in the barrel or improper home loaded shells with nitro or dense powder.” The stylized PM and HACo in a square over NP did not appear on the barrel flats however until about 1922.
The stylized PM and HACo in a square over NP began to appear on the barrel flats about 1922, and all barrels underwent proof testing at the Hunter Arms factory.
Barrel flats of a 3" chamber .410 Specialty Grade
Close up of Proofmark
LTC Calvin Goddard writing in Army Ordnance in 1934, stated that Hunter Arms proof tested 12ga 2 3/4" chamber barrels at 14,300 psi.
PLEASE NOTE - The Proof Pressure is approximately ONE AND ONE-HALF times the intended Service ( or Using ) Pressure.
L.C. Smith hang tags after about 1920 indicated the standard 12 gauge load was for 3 Dram Eq. with 1 1/8 oz. shot. Modern Winchester 1 1/8 oz. 3 Dram Trap loads have been measured at 1,200 fps with a pressure of 9,600 psi.
For more information regarding appropriate loads for your L.C. Smith.
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