And if you fire defensive buckshot in the air, who knows where they will land. The Secret Service might have something to say about firing a shotgun while they are working the perimeter of the property.
I was raised to use a "Continental" (that's the make) double-barrelled 12g shotgun from 7yrs old. One barrel was cylinder, the other full-choke. It was a cheap, solid, workman-like shotgun. But amazingly it had a monte-carlo cheek-piece, selective ejectors, and each barrel had it's own cocking indicator immediately behind the breech on each side of the action. I used to hunt wild boar at night with it, and stalking along it was satisfying to know just by touch which barrel I had left!! If you ever find a Continental DB shotgun - BUY IT!! You won't be disappointed!! 👍
Ron, I love that you are doing a video on shotguns. I enjoy your rifle and ammo reviews; however, I would like to see a few more shotgun videos. Thanks. Really enjoyed all your videos. You are one of the foremost experts on YT.
Love this. My grandfather had an A.H.FOX 16ga. The first shotgun I ever hunted with. I was supposed to get it on his passing. But I was out of state and "no one" has any idea what happened to it. I do wish I had that gun. Thank you for this episode and for the memories it brought back to me. Oh, that 16 was made in 1904
Grandpa passed in the 70's. I was in the army and not home. He was born in 1900 and he was the sole owner. Ki miss them both, but I miss my grandpa most. Still looking for and hope to find one before I'm the age he was at his passing. At 69 I don't have but a few years to make that goal.
Ron I'm 61 years old and have my grandfather's El. C Smith field grade. I've shot thousands off ducks Geese doves And quail, probably as many rabbits as that period 3 years ago. I took it and had it restored because it was looking a little bleak. Although it's still was rock solid, it just needed a little love with the finish. The shotgun is amazing. They don't make things like they used to. It doesn't seem like it will ever wear out period my son now shoots it and he told me that. It's the best shooting shotgun. He is ever had. Thanks for all of your work on your show. Ted.
The old guns are where it’s at! Where quality was the main thing! I am a 60+ year gun collector and having owned hundreds of rifles I have found you can never do your self a better favor then getting an good old rifle and start making memories with your friends and family!
R.S. --> Very good video! Love Double barrel shotguns, especially side-by-sides, with double triggers. My Stevens Model 311 is/was a budget minded alternative to the L.C. Smith, Parker or Winchester. My first Double barrel was a Beretta BL-2, no vent rib Over-Under. Single trigger - selective for the over or under barrel / and safety. I did not like that at all. Sometimes the upper barrel would fire when I wanted the lower barrel to fire. I much prefer double triggers that way you can shoot further away with the Full-choke barrel and closer-in with the Modified choke barrel (or Improved cylinder choke). You can use a different size shot cartridge in either barrel, which is nice if you are hunting in an area with pheasants and with quail or doves. As for home defense? Why not? Very few moving parts on a break-action shotgun, unlike a slide action or a semi-auto to jam. Another benefit to break-action shotguns is that you can buy adaptors (such as Chazel) that fit in a 12-gauge break-action shotgun and allow you to chamber/shoot .22 rimfire cartridges up to .45-70 Govt. cartridges, and smaller shotshell ammo also. Break-action shotguns are easy to clean, unlike some slide-actions and semi-auto shotguns. P.S. Glad you sat down with the retired hunting guide from the Diamond Knives company, and not Blithering Biden. 🙃
Great show Ron! I have quite a few sxs's. Remingtons, Ithica's, Warners, Davis's, Elsie's and Parkers. I think I even have a Crescent. I love the sxs's I even have a Wesley Richards made 1879 serial number 301. The younger generations expect a over and under gun to do their shooting. I am a firm believer that the shooter is who does the skilled shooting! Not the gun, reason being is the character of a sxs. Especially with different chokes to cater to bird shooting. Yes I have same choke doubles and a multitude of different chokes from full and mod. To open cylinder and improved to just about every combo. Its a pleasure to bring out a black powder sxs to a skeet shoot and put the kids with over and unders in their place! The younger generation look at shooting in a completely different way. They think the gun does the shooting rather than the man or woman who pulls the trigger.
While admiring the beautiful, rich finish on the wood I wanted to inquire if the recoil pad was original, factory installed; or aftermarket. Secondly, how does that affect value? Nice to hear anecdotes about its 'reach' thereby allowing the mindset that one doesn't always need to go to the extreme with 3" and 3 1/2" Magnum shells. With this being a family heirloom, that's the best provenance one could ask for. "Ron, thanks for the informative, relaxing visit -- so natural it's like the viewers are 'a fly on the wall.' And not delegating doubles to the trash heap."
Most collectors (such as myself) who are intending to use the gun are normal only put off if the recoil pad is poorly done; for example the pad hangs over the edge of the stock or the pad looks to modern. The reason is pretty simple the chances that the person who owned the gun before you is the same size as you is slim at best and the recoil pad is the cheapest way to fit that gun to your body so more often than not you are going to replace the pad with one that makes you comfortable. If you keep that in mind when attending an auction and you find one with a poorly done ,damaged or even missing recoil pad that will be one to watch you may get a bargain, provide the rest of the gun is in satisfactory condition. Some collectors will pass on a gun that has been tinkered with in any period. I myself would avoid any stock changes that are of a more permanent change, sometimes folks will increase or decrease the length of pull by gluing wooden spacers or worse cutting wood off to make it fit a smaller shooter. I stay away from those unless I find one that fits my wife, she is very short, then I don't have to commit a mortal sin by cutting down a perfectly good stock to fit her petite frame
Still love my old Steven's 311 20g. Christmas. New, but my Dad had refinished and shaped the stock and forearm. Added a silver engraved nameplate on it, too. Love it!
My Dad had 2 L.C. Smiths 1 was from the 1800s (Damascus barrel with hammers) the other one was 12 gauge hammer less, with a Damascus finish we think, made in the early 1900s. Both 12 gauge, we never shot the older one but he and I used the so called newer one all of the time, until the stock cracked right were you said that they did. Dad's been gone for years now but I ended up with them. Loved the story about L.C. Smith
Hey Ron.....great video on a great gun. My 1st 12 gauge was a stevens model 311 double barrel I got when I was 12 years old back in 1967. That gun has taken squirrel, rabbit, game birds, waterfowl and deer....well all we have here in north west Florida...lol I love that old gun, and back in the day I always carried left barrel (full choke) buck shot and right barrel (modified) bird shot, that way I was ready for any game I managed to jump. Now if I was seriously hunting deer both were loaded with buck shot or if small game loaded with small shot. When it's my turn to leave this old world it'll go to my grandson. A friend of mine's son inherited an old fox double barrel that wouldn't fire and wanted me to check it out. That old gun had been well used till it stopped working. I looked it over and that cocking mechanism in the forearm had worked lose...took a screwdriver and less than 5 minutes with a little adjustment, had it working like a new one again. He was a happy young man. Not much that can go wrong with those old double barrels.
Got my LC Smith from my dad. Built in 1918 12 gauge field grade. He took a lot of pheasants with that shotgun. Still have it. Think it takes a 2 1/2 inch shells. Will never get rid of it, will go to my son.
I bought a Stevens 16 ga. double barrel side by side back in the mid 60's from my brother. He bought a 12 ga. Fox side by side. He's been trying to buy back my 16 ever since. I've added to my collection a 20 and 12 ga. Stevens. I don't shoot much any more. I'm in my 70's and just don't hunt. Great video and it brings back memories.
There is just something about old side by sides and always has been for me. My dad always loved them and i had a strong like that has became a love now that i'm a bit older. I don't use a 22 as much for small game anymore because i shake more and my eyes have degraded so most of the time if i'm out for small game you will see me with an old sxs. I feel like that 2nd shot means a whole lot over a single shot but they are still going to be more reliable than semi autos or even a pump gun. Not to mention some of them are just a work of art in my mind. Thanks for the share Ron!
@Ron The Lockpiece in the Top Middle is a Greener Lock, for Over and Under there are also Double Greener Locks left and right on the Top Barrel they are the strongest Action you can think off (often used from Suhler Manufacturers in Germany) the bottom part is simply called Barrelhook Greetings from Germany (we had to know the Names of these Things for our Exam for the Hunting Lisence .... und much more 😂)
What a great story (stories) about this firearm. They are great shotguns. Anyone who owned one loved them. Here's a bit of trivia. L.C. Smith is Lyman Cornelius Smith. I'd love to own one. Great hunting shotguns.
Thanks for the Memories: I inherited a "Baker-Standard" double 12 ga. with 32" barrels choked full/full. According to my great uncle's family who gave it to me, it was built in the early 1920's. It shoulders like a dream and still locks up tight. It has double triggers, which required a bit of practice to get used to. I haven't run any modern steel/bismuth/tungsten shot rounds through the old girl, taking her out for a few late season upland hunts. Great to have those side-by-side barrels for setting up a shot. However, it takes a bit of practice to swing those long barrels accurately!
I bought my son a a 22/410 over and under when he was 5, I cut the stock down for him, later bought him 20 gauge pump but the stock off of my first shot gun (20 gauge single shot) had the same stock, swapped it out and still use it almost 40 years later and it was used when I bought it and still works like new. My dad liked it so much that he bought himself a 30/30 20 gauge over and under for use on the ranch during deer and grouse season, he got a few deer and a few grouse with it
I love this video. I have a field grade 12ga made in 1926 that looks awesome, except for the toe being chipped off. It was like that in 1964 when my dad bought it. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I'm lucky enough to own two of these fine American pieces, a LC Smith in 16 gauge, 26" barrels, IC/IC made in 1894 and a LC Smith 12 gauge rabbit eared 32" full/full made in 1910. Both are well used guns and they both get used quite often as my go to shotguns. They were built to be used and that's just exactly what I do with them. The stories they could tell would be amazing!
My grandfather had a fox shotgun.. my Dad told me.. I never saw it, I was very small when he passed away and I think one of my uncles received the shotgun. They have all passed now and are missed. Great video.
I own my dad's soviet IZh-58. He got lots of fowl with it and took some larger game as well, but later he switched to a Benelli semiauto. With one half choke and full choke it delivers a hell of a medicine to birds and it's pretty accurate with slugs.
Ron your best man im a fellow Canadian new hunter and firearme owner and i find your videos very educational i admire how humble you are even when people are giveing you a hard time the info you give on your videos and the information that you relay to us all is oustanding and monumental just wanna say thanks bud kindest regards.. Rob foyster
At one time, I owned an SKB 280E, 12gauge, 26in. barrels choked IC and MOD, English straight grip, and with scroll engraving on the receiver and barrel breeches. It was lightweight, and a joy to carry, but it kicked like a mule with anything but light loads.
The best thing about old guns are the stories that go with them. I hope that someday my grandkids will be leaning on a truck bed after a hunt talking about the guns that I handed down to them that were from my grandpa.
The only time I ever heard the sound of Joe's voice and had a good time. If only a couple shots in the air could ward off influence peddling... Anyway, fantastic example with a special heritage. Nicely done, as always.
A dear friend of mine inherited an LC Smith double field grade from his father-in-law that was a similar vintage as Charles'. It was in pretty fair shape for 100 plus year old shotgun, not a collector, but a nice sentimental piece of family history. The only mechanical problem with it was an inoperable safety. When we took it apart, we discovered Bubba had already been in there trying remedy the problem, having crudely welded the underside of the safety slide button and actually installed the safety push rod backwards after modifying it to fit. We, of course, didn't have the luxury of a repair manual or pictures so we had to wait until we received the two used parts we were lucky enough to find on ebay to figure out how the safety was really supposed to work. We got that figured out, so the hard part is done, right? Well, let me tell you something about an LC Smith double .... they come apart a hell of a lot easier than they go back together. You see, the shaft of the top lever is riding on a huge main spring that pushes it out of line when it comes apart. When it goes back together that shaft has to line back up with pressure on the spring which would be easy if you could fit a 12 ton jack in there somehow. Suffice it to say, there's not room for your pinky finger in there, let alone something strong enough to compress that spring, all while holding the receiver, the bottom plate and the stock in place while doing so. Oh, and don't let the little bits and loose parts fall out that are only held captive after it's fully assembled. After hours anguish and then more hours of internet research, we finally found a forum on which an experienced gunsmith was kind enough to document a solution that involved building a jig to press against the top lever shaft after you drilled a small hole in the web of the stock in order to reach it. It was a couple of weeks and a little pain and a lot of misery but we finally won. A fully functional shotgun to hang above my friend's fireplace. LC Smiths are good guns, hell for stout and a nice piece of history but I'd like to have a few words with the sadistic S.O.B. that designed them. Maybe I'll run into him in the afterlife .... I'm sure I'll end up in the same place he is.
I'm turning into a Fudd per say. I own pumps and auto's but I own 4 side by sides and use them more and more hunting. I have a Fox Sterlingworth made 1911, C.G. Bonehill 10 bore Hammer gun ciria 1875 from Birmingham, England and a Stevens 311A 16 bore made 1955.
I love the old shotguns and rifles. I just can’t afford them while we are raising four kids and building our family farm. So I got as close as I could with a Henry single shot 20ga. I turkey hunt in North Idaho every year with it. It is fantastic for as cheap as it is (around $300 pre covid). I deer hunt with a Henry single shot in 243 with an old weaver k4 scope I’ve had since I was a kid. That thing is a tack driver at 100yds.
I owned one just like that one but the stock broke right where you had pointed it out. Sadly, I had to sell it and the guy who bought was a wood craftsman, The part that broke was intricately carved for all the trigger parts I killed a lot of Pheasants, Ducks, and Geese with that old gun. I still miss it today.
Btw Delaware doesn't even have a stand your ground law. Delware is a duty to retreat state. You may not fire unless BOTH feet are inside the home. Also in concealed carry you still have a duty to retreat. Just wanted to throw this out there. Signed; A Former Delawarian
I live in southeast Alaska. My dad taught me to hunt as well as his hunting buddies. I remember trips where I went with them without my dad. I forgot my boots and I thought we’d find a replacement, well that sucks they said well you’ll never do that again! Go to hike across a huge ravine and they said “don’t tell your mom we did this”. Wearing sneakers, being told you slip and fall, you die. I stepped in bear droppings and almost went all the way down if one of them hadn’t grabbed my arm. Hunting here is not sitting in a stand and waiting. He guided in Alaska, that’s the easy stuff for tourists. Come to Alaska and ask a local to take you out if you want to test your skills. You might not come home this is no joke. There’s nothing as a landmark to remember your way home other than your own footprints and anything you leave as a marker to remember which way to get home. The world is huge and the further you get from the road the more likely you are to never find it again. I see a lot online about Alaska and how far we are from the “real world” and I can tell you my 9 year old will survive before some 40-50 year old men. Survival is a class in school in alaska because it has to be. Anyway my dads hunting buddies have lodges to cater to tourists wanting to come “hunt” and a Boone and Crockett guy came to stay and wandered into his garage where he saw all his antlers on the wall…. He stayed up til 2 am saying “he’s a living legend, if I had time to score all of these you’d be a world record holder” Don says, “I dunno about that but those are just some of them go look in the other shed and in those boxes” I remember being somewhat enamored by the story of the B&C writer. I remember thinking how cool, but Don? The actual legend? Naw… he would have just said “I’ll get a bigger one this season, you just wait!” The guy has hip problems btw. He can outhike me and even when I was 17. Hard dudes man. And he’s a school teacher. Come to Alaska. FAFO. Love what you do, Ron I know you know how tough you gotta be, these guys out here muzzleloading or bow hunting Sitka blacktail! Good luck seeing one let alone bow hunting one! Would love to meet you but I know you’re a busy man.
lol can you imagine any Biden being with us? Actually hiking miles up from sea level because there’s no roads here. We wouldn’t leave the grocery store. Don’t talk about firearms unless you know what you’re talking about Joe, you just look dumb to everyone who actually knows. Fire it in the air like the first rule you’re never supposed to break? Two of ‘em in a row cuz there’s no way you would need that second one to actually defend your home from whatever is making you feel threatened in the first place. What an idiot. As an American and mostly as an Alaskan I am deeply sorry for anyone who thinks his advice was sound in any way. I am still mad about it that’s how much it affects people who actually know stuff about firearms. UGH. Rant over. Still love you send some love to Paul Harrell if you haven’t yet Ron, we all love that guy. In fact if you haven’t already tried maybe have a talk with him I’m sure you guys would have a lot to talk about.
Years ago I had a double barrel Wards Hercules 20 gauge, with dual triggers. As we lived in the country that was what my wife was instructed to arm herself with in the event of stranger coming on the property if I wasn’t home. A double barrel is intimidating and being able to dump both barrels at one time quite devastating.
To be fair...Papa Joe is just remembering back to when he was in his mid-30s, when riding shotgun on the Wells Fargo coach with his double barrel coach gun was plenty for self defense. Not to mention the TEAM of people dedicated to protecting him and his wife will most definitely have AR15s readily available to them.
Nice video Ron, a little correction, that one has a greener crossbolt, not a dolls head. As you will remember, a dolls head is a extention that just fits into the fence area, normally round, but i have seen other shapes and normally does not have a crossing bolt. I really dont remember off hand to have ever seen one with a greener cross bolt that has come off the face, either single or doubble lumped. I have seen a lot of dolls head guns that have come off the face and quite a few single lump with neather system that were loose. Keep up the good work.
Actually the LC Smith was one of a few sidelocks made in the US. Cresent, Meridan arms and Baker were sidelocks. Lefever had side plates but was not a true sidelock. And there were a couple other minor manufactures.
I think the L.C. Smith was one the the finest shotguns ever made in the U.S.A. An interesting history of ownership and the untimely factory accident which led to Marlin halting production in 1949.
I have a crescent hanging on my wall. A true hammerless, SIDE lock 20 gauge. CRESCENT F. A. CO. Location: Norwich, Connecticut. It was sold by Sears catalogue back when my dad was guiding hunters in NJ.
Right... Joe just started a gunfight by opening fire first and is now standing on his deck, in plain view, with an empty gun. Pure genius.
Remember who you're talking about 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
FJB 🇮🇲
No. Not Joe. Jill.
Upon discharge Jill became a multiple felon
Joe blow and baby Hunter are basically a felon and all is fine and good. If it was us we’d be locked up!!
Exactly what I thought when I first heard it.
If 2 blasts from a shotgun works, then surely 30 blasts from an ar15 works even better
I have had a 12 ga. Coach gun for decades. brutally efficient.
That intro was the best I have ever seen.😂
Great Ron. Hearing a gentleman’s conversation about this is our best asset.
"fire two blasts" leaving you with no shotshells loaded and probably breaking the law depending on the region you live in, good ol' Joey B
😂😂😂😂😂😂❤
And if you fire defensive buckshot in the air, who knows where they will land. The Secret Service might have something to say about firing a shotgun while they are working the perimeter of the property.
Mr.Spomer joined the Kentucky/Demolition histrionic co....oh,no!
What if your balcony is on the wrong side of your house? Will you still get arrested for discharging a firearm within city limits?
How'd this douche become president ? But then Bush used one on Cheney so who am I to say .
"C'mon man!....You know, the thing!"
"gimme a break (action) jack!"
Pew-it-da-dash-under-da-pressure. (Yeah man it's not a joke)
My bussbenwhet!!
I love double barrel shotguns
Me too
Many side by sides are pure works of art
FJB 🇮🇲
I have one in every shotgun Guage except 28. I started out with one, I love them. I wouldn't want one in a firefight against an experienced opponent.
@mikespencer9409 the one on my mantle is beautiful
I was raised to use a "Continental" (that's the make) double-barrelled 12g shotgun from 7yrs old. One barrel was cylinder, the other full-choke. It was a cheap, solid, workman-like shotgun. But amazingly it had a monte-carlo cheek-piece, selective ejectors, and each barrel had it's own cocking indicator immediately behind the breech on each side of the action. I used to hunt wild boar at night with it, and stalking along it was satisfying to know just by touch which barrel I had left!! If you ever find a Continental DB shotgun - BUY IT!! You won't be disappointed!! 👍
Your best intro ever! Wonderful story of an old double. But the side by side 20 gauge you opened this video with was also a beautiful gun.
I haven't even got past the first 30 seconds and I'm laughing my butt off! 🤣
Yes but in a very say way
FJB 🇮🇲
Ron, I love that you are doing a video on shotguns. I enjoy your rifle and ammo reviews; however, I would like to see a few more shotgun videos. Thanks. Really enjoyed all your videos. You are one of the foremost experts on YT.
That "incantation of malefactor banishment" had me rolling!
Love this. My grandfather had an A.H.FOX 16ga. The first shotgun I ever hunted with. I was supposed to get it on his passing. But I was out of state and "no one" has any idea what happened to it. I do wish I had that gun. Thank you for this episode and for the memories it brought back to me.
Oh, that 16 was made in 1904
Sorry for both of your losses. That Fox was worth thousands. Some people put it in the same class as Parker.
Grandpa passed in the 70's. I was in the army and not home. He was born in 1900 and he was the sole owner. Ki miss them both, but I miss my grandpa most. Still looking for and hope to find one before I'm the age he was at his passing. At 69 I don't have but a few years to make that goal.
@@Steve-p1uWorth thousands but likely priceless to the commenter. Very saddening :(
Ron I'm 61 years old and have my grandfather's El. C Smith field grade. I've shot thousands off ducks Geese doves And quail, probably as many rabbits as that period 3 years ago. I took it and had it restored because it was looking a little bleak. Although it's still was rock solid, it just needed a little love with the finish. The shotgun is amazing.
They don't make things like they used to. It doesn't seem like it will ever wear out period my son now shoots it and he told me that. It's the best shooting shotgun. He is ever had. Thanks for all of your work on your show. Ted.
The old guns are where it’s at! Where quality was the main thing! I am a 60+ year gun collector and having owned hundreds of rifles I have found you can never do your self a better favor then getting an good old rifle and start making memories with your friends and family!
I've always had a thing for a side by side with double triggers. It worked just fine back then and pretty sure it still works the same today.
Best intro yet 😂🤣😂🤣
R.S. --> Very good video! Love Double barrel shotguns, especially side-by-sides, with double triggers. My Stevens Model 311 is/was a budget minded alternative to the L.C. Smith, Parker or Winchester. My first Double barrel was a Beretta BL-2, no vent rib Over-Under. Single trigger - selective for the over or under barrel / and safety. I did not like that at all. Sometimes the upper barrel would fire when I wanted the lower barrel to fire.
I much prefer double triggers that way you can shoot further away with the Full-choke barrel and closer-in with the Modified choke barrel (or Improved cylinder choke). You can use a different size shot cartridge in either barrel, which is nice if you are hunting in an area with pheasants and with quail or doves. As for home defense? Why not? Very few moving parts on a break-action shotgun, unlike a slide action or a semi-auto to jam.
Another benefit to break-action shotguns is that you can buy adaptors (such as Chazel) that fit in a 12-gauge break-action shotgun and allow you to chamber/shoot .22 rimfire cartridges up to .45-70 Govt. cartridges, and smaller shotshell ammo also.
Break-action shotguns are easy to clean, unlike some slide-actions and semi-auto shotguns.
P.S. Glad you sat down with the retired hunting guide from the Diamond Knives company, and not Blithering Biden. 🙃
Great show Ron! I have quite a few sxs's. Remingtons, Ithica's, Warners, Davis's, Elsie's and Parkers. I think I even have a Crescent. I love the sxs's I even have a Wesley Richards made 1879 serial number 301. The younger generations expect a over and under gun to do their shooting. I am a firm believer that the shooter is who does the skilled shooting! Not the gun, reason being is the character of a sxs. Especially with different chokes to cater to bird shooting. Yes I have same choke doubles and a multitude of different chokes from full and mod. To open cylinder and improved to just about every combo. Its a pleasure to bring out a black powder sxs to a skeet shoot and put the kids with over and unders in their place! The younger generation look at shooting in a completely different way. They think the gun does the shooting rather than the man or woman who pulls the trigger.
Looking for that side plate for 4 days is remarkable determination!!
I would have done it. Dad's gun.
Didn’t he say a minute before it never failed?
Ron, this intro is GOLD
Well played sir
Ron, what a great intro. Still laughing.
While admiring the beautiful, rich finish on the wood I wanted to inquire if the recoil pad was original, factory installed; or aftermarket. Secondly, how does that affect value?
Nice to hear anecdotes about its 'reach' thereby allowing the mindset that one doesn't always need to go to the extreme with 3" and 3 1/2" Magnum shells.
With this being a family heirloom, that's the best provenance one could ask for.
"Ron, thanks for the informative, relaxing visit -- so natural it's like the viewers are 'a fly on the wall.' And not delegating doubles to the trash heap."
Most collectors (such as myself) who are intending to use the gun are normal only put off if the recoil pad is poorly done; for example the pad hangs over the edge of the stock or the pad looks to modern. The reason is pretty simple the chances that the person who owned the gun before you is the same size as you is slim at best and the recoil pad is the cheapest way to fit that gun to your body so more often than not you are going to replace the pad with one that makes you comfortable. If you keep that in mind when attending an auction and you find one with a poorly done ,damaged or even missing recoil pad that will be one to watch you may get a bargain, provide the rest of the gun is in satisfactory condition. Some collectors will pass on a gun that has been tinkered with in any period. I myself would avoid any stock changes that are of a more permanent change, sometimes folks will increase or decrease the length of pull by gluing wooden spacers or worse cutting wood off to make it fit a smaller shooter. I stay away from those unless I find one that fits my wife, she is very short, then I don't have to commit a mortal sin by cutting down a perfectly good stock to fit her petite frame
Still love my old Steven's 311 20g. Christmas. New, but my Dad had refinished and shaped the stock and forearm. Added a silver engraved nameplate on it, too. Love it!
A fine shotgun with many forgotten stories. Sharing stories is priceless. Thanks Ron.
Really like this format Ron. Thanks for sharing a beautiful old classic . Ontario Canada .
My Dad had 2 L.C. Smiths 1 was from the 1800s (Damascus barrel with hammers) the other one was 12 gauge hammer less, with a Damascus finish we think, made in the early 1900s. Both 12 gauge, we never shot the older one but he and I used the so called newer one all of the time, until the stock cracked right were you said that they did. Dad's been gone for years now but I ended up with them. Loved the story about L.C. Smith
Look down the barrels and it's easy to tell if there Damascus or fluid steel barrels. Damascus barrels will have a spiral weld seam that is visible.
Lmao 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 love the intro... Ron love your show and awesome interview with great guests. Watching from Northeastern Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
Hey Ron.....great video on a great gun. My 1st 12 gauge was a stevens model 311 double barrel I got when I was 12 years old back in 1967. That gun has taken squirrel, rabbit, game birds, waterfowl and deer....well all we have here in north west Florida...lol I love that old gun, and back in the day I always carried left barrel (full choke) buck shot and right barrel (modified) bird shot, that way I was ready for any game I managed to jump. Now if I was seriously hunting deer both were loaded with buck shot or if small game loaded with small shot. When it's my turn to leave this old world it'll go to my grandson.
A friend of mine's son inherited an old fox double barrel that wouldn't fire and wanted me to check it out. That old gun had been well used till it stopped working. I looked it over and that cocking mechanism in the forearm had worked lose...took a screwdriver and less than 5 minutes with a little adjustment, had it working like a new one again. He was a happy young man. Not much that can go wrong with those old double barrels.
Got my LC Smith from my dad. Built in 1918 12 gauge field grade. He took a lot of pheasants with that shotgun. Still have it. Think it takes a 2 1/2 inch shells. Will never get rid of it, will go to my son.
I bought a Stevens 16 ga. double barrel side by side back in the mid 60's from my brother. He bought a 12 ga. Fox side by side. He's been trying to buy back my 16 ever since. I've added to my collection a 20 and 12 ga. Stevens. I don't shoot much any more. I'm in my 70's and just don't hunt. Great video and it brings back memories.
There is just something about old side by sides and always has been for me. My dad always loved them and i had a strong like that has became a love now that i'm a bit older. I don't use a 22 as much for small game anymore because i shake more and my eyes have degraded so most of the time if i'm out for small game you will see me with an old sxs. I feel like that 2nd shot means a whole lot over a single shot but they are still going to be more reliable than semi autos or even a pump gun. Not to mention some of them are just a work of art in my mind. Thanks for the share Ron!
@Ron The Lockpiece in the Top Middle is a Greener Lock, for Over and Under there are also Double Greener Locks left and right on the Top Barrel they are the strongest Action you can think off (often used from Suhler Manufacturers in Germany) the bottom part is simply called Barrelhook Greetings from Germany (we had to know the Names of these Things for our Exam for the Hunting Lisence .... und much more 😂)
Thanks Lenz!
What a great story (stories) about this firearm. They are great shotguns. Anyone who owned one loved them. Here's a bit of trivia. L.C. Smith is Lyman Cornelius Smith. I'd love to own one. Great hunting shotguns.
Fire two blasts at nothing? Now you just have a fancy club.
Not to mention, some pistoff neighbors
Great video! I love old guns. I have a Remington Whitmore coach gun from around 1880.
When I think about double barrel shotguns, I think about my grandfather’s Winchester Model 24. I think his was made towards the end of production
Thanks for the Memories:
I inherited a "Baker-Standard" double 12 ga. with 32" barrels choked full/full. According to my great uncle's family who gave it to me, it was built in the early 1920's. It shoulders like a dream and still locks up tight. It has double triggers, which required a bit of practice to get used to. I haven't run any modern steel/bismuth/tungsten shot rounds through the old girl, taking her out for a few late season upland hunts. Great to have those side-by-side barrels for setting up a shot. However, it takes a bit of practice to swing those long barrels accurately!
Epic intro Ron!!! love it!
Ron that is the best opener yet!!! I especially like the cavalier- "Begone bad men! Begone!"
Love Double Barrels & some of the old Steven's 24 22 LR 410 22LR 20Ga.
I bought my son a a 22/410 over and under when he was 5, I cut the stock down for him, later bought him 20 gauge pump but the stock off of my first shot gun (20 gauge single shot) had the same stock, swapped it out and still use it almost 40 years later and it was used when I bought it and still works like new. My dad liked it so much that he bought himself a 30/30 20 gauge over and under for use on the ranch during deer and grouse season, he got a few deer and a few grouse with it
I have a 222/20ga that was my dads
My grandfather left me an LC Smith double barrel shotgun when he passed away it's actually beautiful, who's also the first shotgun that ever shot
Be gone bad men ,be gone 😂
Stoeger Double Defender has entered the chat
I love this video. I have a field grade 12ga made in 1926 that looks awesome, except for the toe being chipped off. It was like that in 1964 when my dad bought it. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I'm lucky enough to own two of these fine American pieces, a LC Smith in 16 gauge, 26" barrels, IC/IC made in 1894 and a LC Smith 12 gauge rabbit eared 32" full/full made in 1910. Both are well used guns and they both get used quite often as my go to shotguns. They were built to be used and that's just exactly what I do with them. The stories they could tell would be amazing!
My grandfather had a fox shotgun.. my Dad told me.. I never saw it, I was very small when he passed away and I think one of my uncles received the shotgun. They have all passed now and are missed. Great video.
I own my dad's soviet IZh-58. He got lots of fowl with it and took some larger game as well, but later he switched to a Benelli semiauto.
With one half choke and full choke it delivers a hell of a medicine to birds and it's pretty accurate with slugs.
Thank you Ron.
Ron your best man im a fellow Canadian new hunter and firearme owner and i find your videos very educational i admire how humble you are even when people are giveing you a hard time the info you give on your videos and the information that you relay to us all is oustanding and monumental just wanna say thanks bud kindest regards.. Rob foyster
Many thanks Rob. Appreciate your support.
Fantastic video Ron! Keep em coming!
Gorgeous shotgun!
Yes, I have LC Smith. I've had one for years. It is a 16 gauge.
It is an ideal grade
At one time, I owned an SKB 280E, 12gauge, 26in. barrels choked IC and MOD, English straight grip, and with scroll engraving on the receiver and barrel breeches. It was lightweight, and a joy to carry, but it kicked like a mule with anything but light loads.
Great episode. Love side by side shotguns. I have a Winchester sxs built in 1942. Feels like a tank, but love it.
great story, from an interesting man, concerning his dad, their love of hunting, and the shared heirloom shotgun. Good show RON!
The best thing about old guns are the stories that go with them. I hope that someday my grandkids will be leaning on a truck bed after a hunt talking about the guns that I handed down to them that were from my grandpa.
Nice aI have an old LC smith double barrel shotgun that was my grandpas
Great story about finding the missing part of his father's gun. What a save. What determination.
Id of looked for that side plate til eternity. ! Nothing but respect sir.
The only time I ever heard the sound of Joe's voice and had a good time. If only a couple shots in the air could ward off influence peddling... Anyway, fantastic example with a special heritage. Nicely done, as always.
4 days in the marsh with a metal detector. Crazy!
So fortunate to have found it!
That 20ga. in the beginning of the video is beautiful.
A dear friend of mine inherited an LC Smith double field grade from his father-in-law that was a similar vintage as Charles'. It was in pretty fair shape for 100 plus year old shotgun, not a collector, but a nice sentimental piece of family history. The only mechanical problem with it was an inoperable safety. When we took it apart, we discovered Bubba had already been in there trying remedy the problem, having crudely welded the underside of the safety slide button and actually installed the safety push rod backwards after modifying it to fit. We, of course, didn't have the luxury of a repair manual or pictures so we had to wait until we received the two used parts we were lucky enough to find on ebay to figure out how the safety was really supposed to work. We got that figured out, so the hard part is done, right? Well, let me tell you something about an LC Smith double .... they come apart a hell of a lot easier than they go back together. You see, the shaft of the top lever is riding on a huge main spring that pushes it out of line when it comes apart. When it goes back together that shaft has to line back up with pressure on the spring which would be easy if you could fit a 12 ton jack in there somehow. Suffice it to say, there's not room for your pinky finger in there, let alone something strong enough to compress that spring, all while holding the receiver, the bottom plate and the stock in place while doing so. Oh, and don't let the little bits and loose parts fall out that are only held captive after it's fully assembled. After hours anguish and then more hours of internet research, we finally found a forum on which an experienced gunsmith was kind enough to document a solution that involved building a jig to press against the top lever shaft after you drilled a small hole in the web of the stock in order to reach it. It was a couple of weeks and a little pain and a lot of misery but we finally won. A fully functional shotgun to hang above my friend's fireplace. LC Smiths are good guns, hell for stout and a nice piece of history but I'd like to have a few words with the sadistic S.O.B. that designed them. Maybe I'll run into him in the afterlife .... I'm sure I'll end up in the same place he is.
I'm turning into a Fudd per say. I own pumps and auto's but I own 4 side by sides and use them more and more hunting. I have a Fox Sterlingworth made 1911, C.G. Bonehill 10 bore Hammer gun ciria 1875 from Birmingham, England and a Stevens 311A 16 bore made 1955.
You're not turning Fudd, you're getting classy.
I love the old shotguns and rifles. I just can’t afford them while we are raising four kids and building our family farm. So I got as close as I could with a Henry single shot 20ga. I turkey hunt in North Idaho every year with it. It is fantastic for as cheap as it is (around $300 pre covid). I deer hunt with a Henry single shot in 243 with an old weaver k4 scope I’ve had since I was a kid. That thing is a tack driver at 100yds.
CLASSIC!
Two shotgun blasts out the porch, it's like trying to scare the evil spirits.
Love my two 12 gauge "Coach" guns, they aren't the Greeners John Wayne wanted in Big Jake but they are just like em.
A leg holstered double barrel in 10 gauge is a fabulous fall back secondary weapon.
Its faster than reloading 🤭
Awesome video Ron!
I love the old shotguns O/U and Side by Sides. All I duck hunt with.
Best intro ever!
I owned one just like that one but the stock broke right where you had pointed it out. Sadly, I had to sell it and the guy who bought was a wood craftsman, The part that broke was intricately carved for all the trigger parts I killed a lot of Pheasants, Ducks, and Geese with that old gun. I still miss it today.
That's a beautiful shotgun you got there Mr Ron.
Cresent arms made a side lock. I have on in 16ga with 2 1/2 Inch chamders
Btw Delaware doesn't even have a stand your ground law. Delware is a duty to retreat state. You may not fire unless BOTH feet are inside the home. Also in concealed carry you still have a duty to retreat. Just wanted to throw this out there.
Signed;
A Former Delawarian
I do believe that was the best intro to any thing not just I video
Thanks Ron, Quite the introduction.
Finding that side plate in the marsh was something! Great intro!
I live in southeast Alaska. My dad taught me to hunt as well as his hunting buddies. I remember trips where I went with them without my dad. I forgot my boots and I thought we’d find a replacement, well that sucks they said well you’ll never do that again! Go to hike across a huge ravine and they said “don’t tell your mom we did this”. Wearing sneakers, being told you slip and fall, you die. I stepped in bear droppings and almost went all the way down if one of them hadn’t grabbed my arm. Hunting here is not sitting in a stand and waiting. He guided in Alaska, that’s the easy stuff for tourists. Come to Alaska and ask a local to take you out if you want to test your skills. You might not come home this is no joke. There’s nothing as a landmark to remember your way home other than your own footprints and anything you leave as a marker to remember which way to get home. The world is huge and the further you get from the road the more likely you are to never find it again. I see a lot online about Alaska and how far we are from the “real world” and I can tell you my 9 year old will survive before some 40-50 year old men. Survival is a class in school in alaska because it has to be. Anyway my dads hunting buddies have lodges to cater to tourists wanting to come “hunt” and a Boone and Crockett guy came to stay and wandered into his garage where he saw all his antlers on the wall…. He stayed up til 2 am saying “he’s a living legend, if I had time to score all of these you’d be a world record holder” Don says, “I dunno about that but those are just some of them go look in the other shed and in those boxes”
I remember being somewhat enamored by the story of the B&C writer. I remember thinking how cool, but Don? The actual legend? Naw… he would have just said “I’ll get a bigger one this season, you just wait!”
The guy has hip problems btw. He can outhike me and even when I was 17. Hard dudes man. And he’s a school teacher. Come to Alaska. FAFO.
Love what you do, Ron I know you know how tough you gotta be, these guys out here muzzleloading or bow hunting Sitka blacktail! Good luck seeing one let alone bow hunting one! Would love to meet you but I know you’re a busy man.
lol can you imagine any Biden being with us? Actually hiking miles up from sea level because there’s no roads here. We wouldn’t leave the grocery store. Don’t talk about firearms unless you know what you’re talking about Joe, you just look dumb to everyone who actually knows. Fire it in the air like the first rule you’re never supposed to break? Two of ‘em in a row cuz there’s no way you would need that second one to actually defend your home from whatever is making you feel threatened in the first place. What an idiot. As an American and mostly as an Alaskan I am deeply sorry for anyone who thinks his advice was sound in any way. I am still mad about it that’s how much it affects people who actually know stuff about firearms. UGH. Rant over. Still love you send some love to Paul Harrell if you haven’t yet Ron, we all love that guy. In fact if you haven’t already tried maybe have a talk with him I’m sure you guys would have a lot to talk about.
I love my doubles
Best intro ever😂😂😂
Years ago I had a double barrel Wards Hercules 20 gauge, with dual triggers. As we lived in the country that was what my wife was instructed to arm herself with in the event of stranger coming on the property if I wasn’t home. A double barrel is intimidating and being able to dump both barrels at one time quite devastating.
Your sxs at the beginning of the show with the nice wood grain is pretty sweet as well.
To be fair...Papa Joe is just remembering back to when he was in his mid-30s, when riding shotgun on the Wells Fargo coach with his double barrel coach gun was plenty for self defense.
Not to mention the TEAM of people dedicated to protecting him and his wife will most definitely have AR15s readily available to them.
Man, that's a beautiful shotgun!
I agree we dont need semi or autos we aint in a war ok....yet. Pro hunters yes for feral control but not the general public.
Great video, Ron, I have some stevens double 12 and 410. My wife has matching 20ga we also have a savage 311C. Mine has modified/full chokes
Nice video Ron, a little correction, that one has a greener crossbolt, not a dolls head. As you will remember, a dolls head is a extention that just fits into the fence area, normally round, but i have seen other shapes and normally does not have a crossing bolt. I really dont remember off hand to have ever seen one with a greener cross bolt that has come off the face, either single or doubble lumped. I have seen a lot of dolls head guns that have come off the face and quite a few single lump with neather system that were loose. Keep up the good work.
What’s the shotgun that Ron was holding at the beginning of the video?
Actually the LC Smith was one of a few sidelocks made in the US. Cresent, Meridan arms and Baker were sidelocks. Lefever had side plates but was not a true sidelock. And there were a couple other minor manufactures.
Loved B J and the Bear. An AR15 against Three Shotguns.
I think the L.C. Smith was one the the finest shotguns ever made in the U.S.A. An interesting history of ownership and the untimely factory accident which led to Marlin halting production in 1949.
My cousin got my grandpa's LeFeever 12 gauge and it had a 2 and a half inch chambers
Holy chit great intro
I have a crescent hanging on my wall. A true hammerless, SIDE lock 20 gauge. CRESCENT F. A. CO. Location: Norwich, Connecticut. It was sold by Sears catalogue back when my dad was guiding hunters in NJ.
Having just 2 barrels is still better then having 2 Joes.
Ron, you have a great sense of humor on that Biden Comment.
I'm a Brit, so I have a pair of them and a loader from the nearest village. I'm sorted