Hightune’s LC Smith 16ga featherweight project
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Had one of those. 1928. Sold it at our previous home in cyberspace 10 years sgo.
What a wonderful shotgun. I had one that I gave to my brother when I was clearing out all my 16 gauge shotguns. I have always considered the 16 gauge to be the perfect size for a side by side shotgun. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
OP
Don’t believe the gun has even been opened up before. Firstly, the locks are really nasty.
Secondly, there’s a part called a coupler, and a coupler screw. Like a Fox, there is a rotary bolt (pictured top), and there’s coupler with a nose that sticks in the bolt. It straddles the top lever post, and a screw passes from one side of the coupler to the other, through a hole in the top lever post. When new, they peened the threaded end of the screw so it can’t back out. It is very hard to remove them normally, worse when the are rusted together, and worse still when the coupler screw has a soft head and a shallow slot.
Secondly, there’s a part called a coupler, and a coupler screw. Like a Fox, there is a rotary bolt (pictured top), and there’s coupler with a nose that sticks in the bolt. It straddles the top lever post, and a screw passes from one side of the coupler to the other, through a hole in the top lever post. When new, they peened the threaded end of the screw so it can’t back out. It is very hard to remove them normally, worse when the are rusted together, and worse still when the coupler screw has a soft head and a shallow slot.
I have a couple that need this. I may be PMing you sometime. I have one LC Smith 20 that was my grandpa’s and an Ithaca that’s my dads
OP
Colors are interesting on this one. We have straw, grey, browns, and blues. Even with the exact same process, you get different colors. Suppose because it’s different castings from different foundry’s, different metal composition. I like it, especially next to reddish brown wood and a black barrel, and I may do it over again anyway.
Interesting. My dad/s 16ga double that I am in possession of looks very much like that. Very close.
I may need to ride up to derrr-hmmmnn sometime soon
Internals probably look the same. 😕
I may need to ride up to derrr-hmmmnn sometime soon
Internals probably look the same. 😕
To all members who have an old double hanging around … you really should consider taking it to Bill for at least a good cleaning and tuneup … if not a “refreshing” or full on restoration. I went with a refreshing on my Great Uncle’s 102 year old LC Smith 20 gauge and have not regretted it one bit. The little double shoots as well as it did back in 1919. With all the latest and greatest plastic semis and such it is nothing like walking thru the woods with a wood and steel double. The balance and feel is a joy. If you have one (or a couple) these pieces of the past should be conserved, treasured and shot. Get that old girl out of the safe, closet or whoever and let Bill do a little magic then enjoy her and pass her on for a couple more generations.
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I ditto what he said.
Bill is one of the few people that are passionate about helping us preserve these fine old beautiful works of old world craftsmanship. Where it used to take an entire factory of specialized craftsman to complete one of these guns, Bill has mastered every skill that is needed to bring these back to the condition they left the shop in.
If you have an old double sitting in the closet, do yourself a favor and give Bill a call. You won't regret it.
OP
It sure brightens a persons day, week, when folks are so kind with their words. Thank you, all.
I must say however, that my color casing is still a big trial and error, and learning process still actively underway. Additionally, my checkering is not good ….. at all, and it to is a learning process underway. A friend of mine who is superb at it is moving to South Dakota next month, and I am actively praying he will let me ship him work, while I stay up far to late every night practicing. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to claim good work for myself.
Overall, what is always discussed before the projects start is that my objectives are never to reproduce a factory new gun. Rather, they are to reinforce the protective, and attractive, finishes appropriate for the gun, so that it can withstand another 100+ years of use. I cannot stand to see an old gun sit idle when it doesn’t need to. If it’s a family gun, I want to show love and respect to the prior and current owners, and help to honor old memories and help new ones to be made. In that way, the gun becomes secondary.
I hope that is not too touchy-feely for a gun forum, but that’s what this work is about for me, and I want to work with folks honestly as who I am.
Now, if you DO want a factory brand new gun, I can refer you to who can help you. Those outfits do great work. I personally do not think a 100+ year old blaster should ever look brand new again. Just not my thing, but we can try to rewind time, wear, and tear to a reasonable and respectful degree.
I must say however, that my color casing is still a big trial and error, and learning process still actively underway. Additionally, my checkering is not good ….. at all, and it to is a learning process underway. A friend of mine who is superb at it is moving to South Dakota next month, and I am actively praying he will let me ship him work, while I stay up far to late every night practicing. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to claim good work for myself.
Overall, what is always discussed before the projects start is that my objectives are never to reproduce a factory new gun. Rather, they are to reinforce the protective, and attractive, finishes appropriate for the gun, so that it can withstand another 100+ years of use. I cannot stand to see an old gun sit idle when it doesn’t need to. If it’s a family gun, I want to show love and respect to the prior and current owners, and help to honor old memories and help new ones to be made. In that way, the gun becomes secondary.
I hope that is not too touchy-feely for a gun forum, but that’s what this work is about for me, and I want to work with folks honestly as who I am.
Now, if you DO want a factory brand new gun, I can refer you to who can help you. Those outfits do great work. I personally do not think a 100+ year old blaster should ever look brand new again. Just not my thing, but we can try to rewind time, wear, and tear to a reasonable and respectful degree.
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- Joined
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Bill, you are a very humble man. Your dedication and craftsmanship is at an amazing level.
I can't say that I am actively hunting for another sxs but I am keeping my eye out for another one so I can bring it to you.
OP
Thanks Folks!
If any are looking for a double, I do have a couple in the works that I will post here when done. This forum is not typically a doublegun outlet, but it’s a community I care about so I’m happy to feed it candidates for folks to get more info doubleguns with.
Up next (eventually) will be an early Fox A grade 12ga w/ 30” Krupp steel barrels, a Parker VH grade 12ga with 28” Vulcan steel barrels, and an English 16ga GE Lewis with nitro proved damascus barrels.
If any are looking for a double, I do have a couple in the works that I will post here when done. This forum is not typically a doublegun outlet, but it’s a community I care about so I’m happy to feed it candidates for folks to get more info doubleguns with.
Up next (eventually) will be an early Fox A grade 12ga w/ 30” Krupp steel barrels, a Parker VH grade 12ga with 28” Vulcan steel barrels, and an English 16ga GE Lewis with nitro proved damascus barrels.
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Sorry to inform any of you guys that were interested in the fox, but it is no longer available. I will say this though, whoever picks up the Lewis will be a proud owner. It is going to be beautiful when @NiceOldDouble finishes it.
OP
Colors came out better this time. Sorting out a new oven, dealing with a supply chain shortage of granulated wood charcoal, which are two too many new variables to deal with, but it's getting there. What's important to note is that the colors darken pretty quickly, especially after clear coat. Not sure how to "fix" them. Some cook again at a lower temp, some go after the parts with a 1200 degree heat gun, others use a torch to highlight, others do nothing, or at least they aren't willing to share what they do.
OP
Been a while since posting. Project still very much underway, but there's been nothing to report because of heat treating oven troubles have delayed a lot of work. Back to it shortly.
OP
OK. Full disclosure. This one has been a bear. Not sure why. Sometimes they are. It has wanted to distort more than most during color casing. The first pass colors looked good, but there was too much distortion, so the task had to be performed again. Then I learned that the brand new $2k oven had a defective controller, providing me with inaccurate temperature readings.
New controller now, and feeling somewhat more confident, so resuming. Thank you @Hightune for his tremendous gift of patience. Here is the gun with the action annealed and in the wood to confirm fit. There are chips in the stock and some gaps. Those will all be dealt with glass bedding after color casing is done.
So, onward.
New controller now, and feeling somewhat more confident, so resuming. Thank you @Hightune for his tremendous gift of patience. Here is the gun with the action annealed and in the wood to confirm fit. There are chips in the stock and some gaps. Those will all be dealt with glass bedding after color casing is done.
So, onward.
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Now that is just sexy right there.Barrel slow rust blue is completed.
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Beautiful.. Is the southern side by side on for this year. The internet is confusing and showing 2021. Thanks!
OP
It is on. I’ll be there all four days. April 21-24. 21st is typically a slide action gun event while vendors are setting up
OP
The action has been colored cased for the final time. The action is reassembled. The barrels have been slow rust blued. The stock is soaking in Acetone to extract the oil from the oil soaked head. Once that is done it will sit in the air for a bit to reabsorb a normal level of moisture, and then the action will be bedded into the stock.
Finally, a new finish will be applied and the gun reassembled and test fire.
Every so often I guess, one comes along that argues the whole time. It’s been hard to do, and frankly I got a little scared of it. Lately, COVID, the Southern Side-by-side, and troubled teens have made everything more of a challenge as well.
Here’s a lock plate with shiny polished pins showing through, and the top of the action.
Next up is are two LC’s and an Ithaca Flues for other members.
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