L.C. Smith Long Range Wild Fowl
Hunter Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1921
Also known as: L.C. Smith Long Range, LC Smith Wild Fowl, L.C. Smith Long Range Water Fowl
Overview
A heavy-frame break-action side-by-side shotgun built on L.C. Smith's hammerless sidelock action and marked 'Long Range Wild Fowl' for extended-range waterfowling. Chambered for 3-inch 12-gauge magnum shells, it used a wide, reinforced action and long 30- to 32-inch barrels bored with tight chokes to throw heavy shot charges, with the maker claiming a killing range of 70 to 85 yards. Made by Hunter Arms Company of Fulton, New York, it was offered across the L.C. Smith grade range from Field up to Crown with double triggers and walnut furniture.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3742 g (132.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Effective Range | 55 m (60 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 78 m (85 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge 3 Inch Magnum · primary — also known as 12GA 3", 12 Bore Magnum
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Tang Safety
- Features: Side By Side, Hammerless Sidelock, Double Trigger, Heavy Wildfowl Frame, Tight Full Chokes, 3 Inch Chambers, Automatic Ejectors
Production
Production years: 1921-1942
A specialized heavy-duck configuration of the L.C. Smith double; production figures for the Long Range / Wild Fowl guns specifically were not published.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Lyman Cornelius Smith
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
The 'Long Range' barrel marking was used from roughly 1921 to 1941 and the 'Wild Fowl' marking from about 1940 to 1942; the two overlapped on heavy-duck guns. Weight (about 8 to 8.5 lb), overall length and choke details are typical-range figures for the heavy 32-inch 12-gauge configuration. Later L.C. Smith production passed to Marlin Firearms in 1945.
Background
Built during the market-gunning and early sport-hunting era when 'long range' waterfowl guns promised to reach ducks at 70-plus yards, the Long Range Wild Fowl was L.C. Smith's answer to the heavy-magnum duck gun - a beefed-up sidelock double meant to digest the stoutest 3-inch loads of the day.