L.C. Smith Olympic Grade
Hunter Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1928
Also known as: L.C. Smith Olympic Trap, Olympic Grade Single Barrel Trap, LC Smith Olympic SBT
Overview
A break-action single-barrel trap shotgun chambered in 12 gauge, built on L.C. Smith's single-barrel trap frame with an internal hammer and single trigger firing one shot before the barrel is broken open to eject and reload. Introduced by Hunter Arms of Fulton, New York in 1928 as the plainest and most affordable of the L.C. Smith single-barrel trap grades, it carried a 32-inch full-choke barrel with a ventilated rib, full pistol-grip walnut stock, beavertail forearm, automatic ejector, recoil pad and front-and-rear Lyman ivory sights.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3630 g (128.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Tang Safety
- Features: Single Barrel, Ventilated Rib, Full Pistol Grip, Beavertail Forearm, Automatic Ejector, Recoil Pad, Full Choke, Lyman Ivory Sights
Production
Estimated total produced: 596 · Production years: 1927-1950
596 total Olympic Grade single-barrel trap guns manufactured, per L.C. Smith Collectors Association records.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Alexander T. Brown
Discontinued: 1950
Notes
The Olympic was catalogued as being 'especially designed to fill an increasing demand for an inexpensive, durable and plainly finished single barrel trap gun,' priced at $100 when introduced in 1928. Frames were neatly engraved with scroll but rib inlays were rare to non-existent on this grade. Barrels were almost universally 32 inches, with only two documented 34-inch examples. Weight and overall length are approximations for a 32-inch single-barrel trap gun (roughly 8 lb).
Background
The entry-level rung of L.C. Smith's single-barrel trap ladder, the Olympic gave working-class trap shooters an American-made competition gun with the L.C. Smith name for $100 during the Golden Age of trapshooting. Its low production of under 600 makes surviving examples scarce and prized among collectors.