16ga.com ~ View topic - LC Smith field grade chamber length question

Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Spring Prairie, WI

Hi,

Have an opportunity to obtain a very nice field grade Elsie. I wonder about the chamber length. Checked the material in the general discussion and discovered that the chambers could be 2 1/2, 2 9/16, or 2 3/4.

I am planning to take my depth gauge and a fired 2 3/4 purple shell to attempt to check chamber length.

Does anyone have any better ideas how to measure chamber lenght?

Thanks.

Tom

Please read this post

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10018&highlight=majic+marker

Mike

Joined: 06 Feb 2011 Posts: 59 Location: Lynchburg, VA

16 ga Smiths had 2-9/16" chambers until the mid/late 30's FROM THE FACTORY. However, it's a possibility that it was special ordered with longer chambers or opened up at a later date. The issue with longer shells in a short chamber is not so much the length but the pressure of modern shells and the resultant potential damage to the head of the stock.
My advice---stick with low pressure shells like RST's, regardless of chamber length.

I agree, the RSTs are gentle on the old wood of these vintage guns.

Mike

Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Spring Prairie, WI

Appreciate the inputs. I will report back if successful with my attempt to purchase.

Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 28

My suggestion is to send to Briley and have chambers enlarged to 2 3/4 inches, forcing cones elongated and polished. Most all Smiths have adequate barrel wall thickness. Briley can check. They do great work. Einstein

Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Spring Prairie, WI

I was able to purchase the elsie

26" barrels, mod and full.

Tried all of the chamber lenght measuring tricks and came to the conclustion that there is no sharp demarcation between chamber and barrel/forcing cone.

The serial number is alleged to be S42206. Is there a way to tell from the serial number if it is old (2 9/16) or new (2 3/4)?

Thanks

So you mean you made a mandrel .730 that was solid and were not able to get a measurement?

I do not understand

If the serial number is correct the LC Smith Collectors will look up the specs for $60

http://lcsmith.org/

Mike

The serial number is probably FWS 42206; and would be 1949 DOM and 2 3/4". If so, it is after Marlin bought Hunter Arms and still used the same facility and workers.

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

Joined: 06 Feb 2011 Posts: 59 Location: Lynchburg, VA

As Patriot said, it is a Marlin Smith and surely 2-3/4". FWS denotes FW= featherweight, and S denotes L C Smith Gun Co ( a division of Marlin after 1945).