Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns LC Smith double- To refinish or leave?

I inherited an LC Smith Hunter in 12 ga. Would is in good condition for its age. Case color is just ok.
The gun was left in a soft case and the barrels look rough. The bores look almost perfect. I have no sentimental attachment to the gun. I believe If I keep it I would redo the blueing. If I sell, I don't know whether would want it as is or at least electro cleaned.
Any thoughts. I don't believe it a rare issue

Leave it alone, gunoil on the barrels and use 0000 steel wool for rust removal gently. Or better yet have a qualified gunsmith clean it up any refinishing will hurt the collector value.

If you are going to keep it, make it how you want it.

Thanks. I will probably have it professional cleaned and keep.

Clean it up and just shoot light field loads in her.

Agree, I’f I’m going to care, like and keep something, it most likely will be solid and look nice. If I’m going to buy something, I look for the same type of examples.

Antiques are a hard sell today….beat up antiques even more so. The don’t touch it crowd are mostly the old boys…. Who are fading away.

Turnbull does amazing restoration work on old doubles. But they also talk with you about whether it’s worth it or not. Give them a call

Turnbull will tell you most times the cost will be more than it’s worth. Part of the reason being they are so expensive.

However, in the end it will be better than new and have new beginning for future generations. Things that are left to fall apart, usually end up as trash. Unless someone cares enough to not let it happen.

My Dad tried to refinish the LC Smith that my grandfather had. Looked like crap. I have it in my gun safe now. I wish he would have left it alone.

Best advice here...

If you have it re-blued make sure it's rust blued. Don't let some Bozo "gunsmith" hot tank it. I know a guy who had a beautiful high grade A Fox hot tanked, not taking my advice.

He had a genuine Double Barrel afterward, one for each hand.

What I think I would do as well

Suggest you read this, before you make a big mistake:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/l-c-smith-shotguns/

Done to the highest standards, there would be no mistake made.

With no details as to grade, serial #, pictures, any suggestion is a crap shoot.

The Hunter was a model of Fulton shotguns made by LC Smith. It was a less expensive boxlock gun. An ordinary 12 gauge one is not worth restoration beyond cleaning and ensuring safe operation.

Solid functional hunting shotgun.

I bought a 20 ga LC about 15 years ago for $400, and it was a fair price. Sent it to a gentleman in Nebraska (IIRC) to get it tightened up and he opened the forcing cones to 2-3/4. Took it to a local smith (since passed on, regrettably), who rust blued the barrels and sent it to some outfit in Wyoming for color case hardening. Bought a checkering tool and sharpened up the checkering, re-oiled the stock and added a pad.

It's now easily my favorite gun, gets carried every year for many miles, and still beautiful.

Just clean it up if it fits hunt with I ,pass it on to a grandkid or friend.

If you plan on selling it some day leave it as is.