L.C. Smith Single Barrel Trap Specialty Grade 12 Gauge, 34 Inch, Case-Hardened Receiver, Vent Rib, Factory Engraved, Post-War S-prefix
This L.C. Smith Single Barrel Trap Specialty Grade stands out as a scarce post-war S-prefix example produced under the Marlin-owned L.C. Smith Gun Company (1945–1950). It features a 34-inch barrel with a ventilated rib supported by rectangular posts, a matted sighting plane, and factory hand-cut scroll engraving on a case-hardened receiver. Chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells with an Improved Modified choke, it combines dedicated trap configuration with collectible post-war provenance.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Specific Condition Notes: There are significant markings and areas of finish loss from prior handling and use. The bore is bright and clean. The top lever position indicates the locking lug has a good amount of life remaining. Barrel fit is on the looser side. The ejector is timed correctly, and the firing pin appears to be in good condition.
The front sight is missing. Refer to pictures.
What's Included
- L.C. Smith Single Barrel Trap Specialty Grade 12 Gauge shotgun
Built as a dedicated single-shot trap gun, this Specialty Grade uses L.C. Smith’s purpose-designed boxlock action rather than the firm’s sidelock double-gun architecture. It is a break-action, single-trigger configuration with a 1-round capacity.
The 34-inch barrel is roll-stamped "L.C. SMITH Specialty TRAP" and features a ventilated rib with rectangular (I-beam style) posts and a matted sighting plane. It is chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells and is choked Improved Modified. A mid-rib bead is present.
Stocked in figured walnut, it has a pistol-grip butt with wrap-around checkering, a beavertail forend, a banjo-style escutcheon on the underside of the stock wrist just ahead of the trigger guard, and a Pachmayr ventilated pad with white spacer. Length of pull is 14.0 inches. Fitment is neutral with slight right cast-off for a subtle ergonomic bias.
The receiver is steel with a case-hardened finish and factory hand-cut scroll engraving on the receiver flanks, top lever and tang, and trigger guard. The barrel wear pattern shows honest use while retaining the gun’s Specialty Grade presentation.
Post-war S-prefix Single Barrel Trap guns are comparatively scarce; approximately 2,280 Single Barrel Trap guns were produced in total, with about 140 made post-war. This places S-prefix examples like this one among the less commonly encountered Specialty Grade trap guns from the period.