Outstanding Unassembled and Last Shipped Factory Engraved L. C. Smith .410 Bore Ideal Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Factory Letters

An exceptional and highly collectible L.C. Smith Ideal Grade .410 bore, this shotgun combines documented factory provenance, extreme rarity, and standout historical importance as the last Ideal Grade firearm shipped by the company. With two Cody Museum letters, a factory L.C. Smith box, and the original yellow hang tag, it is a premier acquisition for advanced L.C. Smith and American double-gun collectors.

• Documented by an included Cody Firearms Museum letter
  • Listed as a .410 bore Ideal Grade
  • Recorded with 28-inch barrels
  • Factory inspection completed on March 22, 1950
  • Sold and shipped to Klein Sporting Goods Company on March 28, 1950
  • Address for Klein Sporting Goods Company is not listed
• Includes a second Cody Museum letter stating:
  • “Your firearm, although not the last Ideal grade firearm made, was the last Ideal Grade firearm shipped from the company”
  • This detail gives the shotgun major collector significance beyond its already rare configuration
• Exceptionally scarce .410 Ideal Grade production
  • According to page 177 of “L. C. Smith Shotguns” by William Brophy, only 220 Ideal Grades were built as .410 bores
  • The combination of .410 bore, Ideal Grade configuration, factory documentation, and “last shipped” status makes this a particularly desirable L.C. Smith collectible
• Built with blued steel barrels
  • Barrel length: 28 inches
  • Gauge: .410 bore
  • Chambers: 3 inches
  • Rib: matted flat solid rib
  • Sights: dual white bead sights
  • Right barrel marked: “L.C. SMITH – 410 GA.- IDEAL – FULTON, N.Y. U.S.A.”
  • Extraction system: single extractor
• Classic L.C. Smith casehardened sidelock action
  • Features the traditional Ideal Grade flowing floral engraving
  • Accented with zig-zag borders
  • Marked “L. C. SMITH” on either lockplate leg
• Traditional field and sporting features
  • Double triggers
  • Tang-mounted automatic safety
• Attractive and practical forend configuration
  • Lightly figured beavertail forend
  • Multi-point checkering
  • Engraved casehardened forend iron
  • Rotary latch release
• Stock configuration
  • Pistol grip stock
  • Black grip cap
  • Black serrated buttplate
• Valuable original and factory accessories included
  • Factory L. C. Smith box
  • Original yellow hang tag
  • Hang tag lists:
    • Grade
    • Gauge
    • Barrel length
    • Chokes
    • Weight
    • Beavertail forend
• Barrel and stock measurements, right/left where applicable
  • Bore diameter measured 9 inches from the breech: both measured .410 inches
  • Choke constriction: .013/.023 inches
  • Length of pull: 14 inches
  • Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.

With only 220 Ideal Grade .410 bores cited by Brophy and factory documentation identifying this example as the last Ideal Grade shipped, this L.C. Smith offers rare historical importance, excellent provenance, and strong long-term collector appeal.