Gun Information

[MidwayJoe]

I have an old Hunter Arms Co. shotgun in very poor condition and would like to find out what year it was made and what model it is. It is a double barrel with serial No. 146033 and has a capital F beneath the serial no. It has 32'' barrels. On top of the barrels it says: Hunter Arms Co. Makers, Fulton, N.Y. Because of the rust and pitting I can't find any other markings. Any Info would really be appreciated. Thanks, Joe

[hoghunting]

Your shotgun is an L.C. Smith. You didn't give enough information about the gun to tell the date, but you can look it up at this link:

http://lcsmith.org/shotguns/manufacture.html


The "F" means that the barrels are royal steel, not damascus. If you look on the sideplates, you might be able to read "L C Smith".

I have a hammer model that was made in 1913, and after I restocked it, it's a joy to shoot.

[J F Cooper]

If yor gun i an exposed hammer gun, It was made in 1906. The F, I believe is the grade, if the barrels are Royal steel, the will be marked so. Damascus barrels are un marked.. It the gun is a hammerless model, it was made in 1936, and it a Field grade, The barrels should be marked Armor Steel.. As a third option, It may be (but unlikely) boxlock Fulton...JFC

[hoghunting]

The "F" means the barrels are Royal steel. "FF" meant the barrels were damascus steel.

[J F Cooper]

Hoghunting: I have just checked my L C Smith literature again and I find no mention of the "F" denoting Royal Steel And the "FF" denoting Damascus Steel.. Kindly point out your source of information... Some of these newer people are looking for info on older doubles and it's important that it be correct,, JFC

[johnbt]

This came to mind. I'm no expert, I just read too much. John

From www.lcsmith.org/shotguns/1913grades.html

"The Hunter Arms Company continued to produce hammer shotguns until 1932. In 1917, the catalog described the F Grade as having Royal Steel barrels in 12 or 16 gauge for $22. The FF Grade had Damascus Steel barrels in 10 gauge for $25. After 1919, only Royal Steel barrels were available. Fulton, Fulton Special, and Hunter Special shotguns were manufactured by the Hunter Arms Company. They were box lock shotguns, did not carry the L.C. Smith name, and are not classified as L.C. Smith shotguns."

[J F Cooper]

The gun in question was made in 1906, the 1901 catalogue states that The "F" Grade Hammer gun was available with either Stub Twist, Royal Steel Or Damascus Barrels... My point is, the "F" and "FF" are Grade marks and not the identity mark of the barrel steel..JFC